Devin McMurtry capped his college basketball career with a provincial title and now the UNBC Timberwolves newest recruit would like to add CIS champion to his resume.
The 20-year-old played three seasons with the Langara College Falcons in the PACWEST, capturing the championship this past winter and going on to a bronze-medal finish in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association (CCAA) national championship.
"We had a lot of games where we blew the other teams out," said McMurtry about the 20-1 record the Falcons posted. "It was nice having that amount of success because it was unexpected. The two years before last year we hadn't even won a playoff game."
The six-foot-four forward went on to help the Falcons win the bronze medal at nationals.
"It was tough rebounding because after we had lost the semifinal game we had to play against the best team in Ontario and the best team in Alberta and we really had to bring it," said McMurtry. "We were fortunate enough to get bronze. It was good for our team to end on a high note. I'd rather get bronze than silver because you end on a win."
The Falcons beat Ontario's Sheridan College to earn the bronze. The Vancouver Island University Mariners wound up winning the gold at nationals - leaving McMurtry and the Falcons with a empty feeling since they beat VIU for the provincial crown.
"It was a little bit bitter," he said.
With two seasons of college/university playing eligibility remaining, McMurtry said he's excited to join the T-wolves.
"I've always admired the program," said McMurtry, recalling the Falcons and T-wolves battles in the B.C. college league. "It's a really competitive team and a great group of guys. They're just really scrappy. They play tough and well together. They don't make mistakes."
In addition to his athletic success, he was named to the CCAA all-star team, McMurtry also excels in the classroom with an above-80 average. McMurtry was also a CCAA academic all-star last season.
"I work very hard athletically so I might as well transfer that to academics," said the history major.
McMurtry graduated high school from Fraser Heights secondary before attending Langara College.
"Playing at Langara I was able to develop my game and get stronger and get more physical and develop personally playing with a great group of people," said McMurtry. "I know my role and I will do everything I possibly can to help [UNBC] win games.
"My role is to do whatever I can when I'm on the court, whether that's rebound, play defence or take charges," added the Surrey native. "I'll fill that role for the team and do anything I can to help them win."
