Clemente, Murry, Hatch, Durley and Hannah Claim Top Awards

WICHITA, Kan. - Wichita State fans, coaches and players celebrated the 2008-09 men's basketball season in front of more than 350 attendees Thursday evening in the Preferred Health Systems Multipurpose Center in Charles Koch Arena.

Freshman Toure Murry took home the Wichita Eagle Most Valuable Player Award, but it was the absent senior Ramon Clemente who stole the show with a letter explaining his absence.

"Ramon has been given the unique opportunity to play professionally in Puerto Rico," Head Coach Gregg Marshall said. "He's going to class early in the week, along with online classes, and flying back and forth on the weekends to start a professional career. He has assured everyone here, including me, that he will still graduate in May."

Mike Kennedy then read the letter, in which Clemente thanked his teammates, coaches, and the fans, and apologized over and over for not being able to attend. He spoke of his love for Wichita, his pride in graduating in May, and how much being able to continue to play basketball meant to him.

Clemente also was awarded the KAKE TV/Shelley Cox Leadership Award, which was presented by KAKE-TV anchor Jeff Herndon, the Ralph Miller Captain's Award with fellow senior Mantas Griskenas, the Shafer Dart Most Inspirational Player Award, and the Xavier McDaniel Rebounding Award as the team's top rebounder.

J.T. Durley and Graham Hatch received the Cleo Littleton Most Improved Player Award, and Clevin Hannah was named the Warren Armstrong Jabali Assists Award winner.

Hatch was also named the Shocker Radio Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award winner.

The Shockers who were named Valley award winners, Hannah and Murry, were also recognized as members of the MVC's All-Newcomer Team, while Murry also recieved his all-freshman team certificate.

Click to see photos of the evening's award winners.

-Wichita State University-