MISSISSAUGA - One thing was missing in what was an elaborate Ontario Colleges Athletic Association year-end men's basketball banquet and awards ceremony at the Delta Meadowvale Hotel and Conference Centre.
It was something that you see at major events when an athlete rises to the top of his sport and claims multiple awards.
George Brown College graduating player Vadim Halimov could have used a broom.
The 25-year old swept not one, but five major awards including "Player of the Year" in the OCAA and what one speaker referred to as a league having better players than the Ontario University Athletics (OUA).
No big surprise for many followers and fans of Halimov, who set three OCAA records on the hardwood in February of this season and finished a month of basketball excellence for one player in the province that may be unheard of in decades.
Halimov, with a standing ovation from his teammates, was given the highest award in OCAA hoops. The last time a George Brown player hit the spotlight was likely before Halimov was born - back in 1974 and1975, when Marv Snowden capped a College career with four OCAA records and a league title.
For Halimov, his initiation to competitive basketball was back in high school, and he proved to be a quick learner, well liked and very coachable. People who know the sport, say Halimov's success has been nothing short of superb.
Halimov started the evening being picked to the OCAA's First Team East Division all-star squad. Then came the accolades for East Division scoring champ followed by the one for leading the league in scoring. Halimov then was the recipient of an All-Canadian award and, choosing to stay near the podium, waited as he was announced as top player.
"I didn't expect such a great career in basketball and then to end it in this way," said an over-joyed Halimov, who received congratulatory wishes from many in the room and also waited until the ceremony ended before sharing the news by phone with his mother and family.
"I am very happy, very honoured but these awards would not have happened without the wonderful support of my teammates and great coaches."
Born in Uzbekistan, Halimov scored 624 points this season shattering the previous OCAA single season scoring record of 582 set by
There's more as Halimov was successful on 162 free throws, setting a third OCAA single season mark previously held by
"What (Halimov) did this year is nothing short of amazing - it couldn't have happened to a more deserving student athlete," praised George Brown head coach Jonathan Smith, who added Halimov deserved an award for academic excellence.
"How often does a player come to a team and that same year is chosen by his peers as captain and cares about his teammates more than I have seen. It's a joy to be around him." - DG
