Vancouver Volcanoes Selected to Host 2014 IBL Playoffs

June 13, 2014 - International Basketball League (IBL) At top of his game, Andre Murray gets a second nod for POTW award

It seems as though five time veteran of the Volcanoes is hard to stop, at the top of his game and top of the In The Game Watch List, 6'2" G Andre Murray is the POTW for a second time this season with outstanding efficiency leading the league in points at 33.2ppg, assists at 8.2 per game and 3.8 steals to go with it.

A four time All Star and 2012 IBL MVP, so far 2014 has produced the best performance from Murray yet, perhaps of his career. "I think I am driven this season, my main goal is to get back overseas this fall, I worked hard in the off season and making sure I have the right mind set conditioning, and eating better."

Murray got his start after attending an open tryout encouraged by a former college teammate, and speaks highly of the team owner and Assistant Coach Bryan Hunter whom he plays for. "I have grown to like the team and the community; there is no place I would rather play for than Vancouver. The league provides exposure and I like the competition, I saw it moving forward in a good direction, so I continue to play in the league."

At the top of the watch list all season, the player wearing MJ's number stays humble as a part of a team on a quest for a championship. "It means a lot to be at the top of the list, I think I am just working hard, staying dedicated to my craft. The guys push me hard in practice and so do the coaches, I can thank them for the efforts for what I have been doing so far," Murray acknowledged.

Higher averages than when he got the nod the first time this season, and against tougher opponents, it was a clear decision. In the last two, back to back games for Murray,he produced 43 points and 11 assists in the win against the Sabres, followed up by 36 total points and 10 assists in another win versus the Chinooks, impressive to say the least from the Portland State University Alumni.

"I think at this point after losing four out of five, my mentality switched gears, I just leave everything on the court. I am in constant attack mode and when I am not hitting my shots I am looking for other guys inside or outside to make the shot.

"Andre is really hard to guard, he is really good with the ball and he does a great job defensively as well. In our sets he gets a lot off on ball screens, but he's also out in space, we put him away from the ball a lot so defense has to rotate on to him. He's so good east to west with his dribble, and when he finishes the way he does he scores at will. I wouldn't want to play against us because we can really score the ball, and Murray is just one of our ways." Navarro says about his star player and the feeling seems to be mutual.

"I think when you have a Coach that puts you in a position to succeed as well have faith in you it makes the job really easy. I have been playing with him (Coach Navarro) for years now, as the assistant and now Head Coach for a second season, I understand most of his schemes and what he expects of me. I think I am just enjoying playing the game, and trying to get these wins."

The Volcanoes will try for two more this weekend as they see the Sabres and then take on Houston, the Lone Star Strikers, where Murray will look to continue his reign as the number one player to watch, gaining momentum into the post season.

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Vancouver Volcanoes Selected to Host 2014 IBL Playoffs