Playing for the UNBC Timberwolves was better than what Jeff Chu expected.
Recruited to join the men's basketball team by head coach Todd Jordan two years ago, the six-foot 195-pound guard quickly made an impact on the team.
Prior to UNBC joining the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Canada West Conference, the Timberwolves competed in the college-level Pacific Western Athletic Conference against Langara College where Chu plied his trade.
"He got the best of us, his relentless attitude, his mentality and his will to compete," Jordan told the crowd gathered at the Northern Sport Centre Saturday night as UNBC honoured its graduating seniors prior to their tilt against the University of Fraser Valley Cascades.
"When we got into the CIS (three years ago), I knew those qualities would be beneficial," said Jordan. "It was one of the best decisions I made getting Jeff up here. He's really shown some leadership, he works his butt off in practice and he usually plays against the other team's top offensive player. He's our best defensive player."
Chu was honoured, along with two of his other teammates on the team, forward Devin McMurtry and Franco Kouagnia. Saturday's game was the last time fans will see the three of them play in Prince George.
As they walked off the floor with than a minute remaining in the 69-57 win against UFV, they received a standing ovation.
The Timberwolves wrap up their regular season next weekend at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna.
"Playing for UNBC was better than I expected," said Chu afterwards who'll graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science next fall. "I grew up in Vancouver but we had so much support here. The whole community and the city gets behind the team. It's been so much fun. I've gotten so close with everybody, it feels like family. It's been a great experience."
With his clutch grabs off the boards, McMurtry currently sits third in rebounds, averaging 10.3 per game in the CIS Canada West. Off the court, he will earn a Bachelor of Arts (history) this spring. He'll eventually go on to grad school to earn his PhD in history.
Jordan also had high praise for McMurtry, a six-foot-five 215-pound forward who transferred from Langara two years ago with Chu. McMurtry convinced Chu that UNBC would be an ideal place to play.
"Coaches are always looking for players to run through the wall," said Jordan. He's been unbelievable for us. The tenacity he has as he goes after the glass. He's one of the hardest-working players I've ever coached. He's an inspiration to his team."
"I've had so many wonderful experiences here," said McMurtry. "The relationships I've built with the team. This was a right of passage, it helped me grow as a person."
Three years ago, Jordan opened up an email that contained a video of Kouagnia. The six-foot-seven forward, originally from Cameroon was in the U.K. and wanted to play basketball overseas.
"He was a beast of a man, blocking shots. He was pretty impressive," said Jordan. "I was thinking is this real? We needed a big guy for next year and it took eight months to get him here. I was praying in August when I went to pick him up at the airport that he was the size that he said he was. He turned out to be the best thing we ever had playing here at UNBC.
"In two years, he's become stronger, developed as a player and improved his skill set. He's become a great teammate and person and seeing the work he's put in."
Kouagnia currently leads the team with 16.3 points per game.
UNBC's women's basketball team also honoured two players who are graduating this spring - five-foot-nine forward Sarah Robin and five-11 forward Kellieanne Fluit.
Robin collected 10 points in an 85-51 loss to UFV Saturday.
Robin, who grew up in Prince Rupert, spent her entire five-year university career at UNBC and will graduate with her biology degree this spring. She has her sights set on attending optometry school either at a Canadian or U.S. university.
"It (the five years) went by so quickly," she said. "I didn't see much floor time at first, but in practice I worked on my game and eventually became a starter. I've been really fortunate and it's been great to play for this team. All these girls are my best friends, I'll always remember them. I won't remember the games."
Fluit transferred from Whatcom College in Lynden, Wash. four years ago.
"This program is amazing," said Fluit. "I wouldn't have chosen anything else. I've had great coaches and the atmosphere is amazing. It was the best decision I made. It taught me to play at a faster, the level is higher than what I was used to. The girls are bigger - I'm only five-foot-11 and I was going up against those who were six-foot-two. I had to push them around and I had to get better."
Fluit will graduate with her Bachelor of Arts degree and will attend Boise State and earn her education degree.
"I'll miss Canada for sure. Thank you Canada," she said.
