House Resolution 160

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COLLEGE BASKETBALL STANDOUT ISAIAH CANAAN OF BILOXI ON BEING NAMED TO THE 2013 ALL-AMERICA TEAM AND A SULLIVAN SEMIFINALIST.

WHEREAS, Isaiah Canaan, an exceptional basketball player who has had an outstanding collegiate career playing for the Murray State University Racers, was recently honored with his being named to the 2013 Lou Henson All-America Team, an award established in honor of the former great coach at Illinois and New Mexico State; and

WHEREAS, in addition to this remarkable achievement, Isaiah Canaan also was named to the semifinal list for the 83rd AAU James E. Sullivan Award which, considered the "Oscar" of sports awards, has been presented annually since 1930 to honor amateur athletes who have shown strong moral character as well as extraordinary athletic accomplishments; and

WHEREAS, finishing the 2012-2013 season with 21.8 points per game and the fifth-best all-time Murray State season with 676 points, Isaiah Canaan, one of the top-10 in scoring during the year, set a MSU record by making at least one 3-point basket in each of his last 39 consecutive games; and

WHEREAS, an advertising major, senior Isaiah Canaan will leave Murray State with his name etched in quite a few school and Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) rankings, including: fifth all-time highest scorer at Murray, with 2,050 points; one of only six players in the MSU 2000-Point Club, as well as one of only 17 in the OVC; highest number of 3-point baskets (304) in MSU history and third all-time highest in the OVC; third all-time (.419) in 3-point shooting percentage; sixth (476) in made free throws and assists (285); and ninth in steals, with 157, and free throw percentage (.803); and

WHEREAS, Isaiah Canaan's sensational and amazingly consistent performance on the hardwood has earned him numerous awards in the Ohio Valley Conference during his four seasons with the Racers, including: OVC Freshman of the Year and selection for the All-OVC Newcomer Team in 2010; 2011 naming to the All-OVC First Team; 2012 OVC Player of the Year; 2012 OVC Male Athlete of the Year; and 2013 OVC Player of the Year; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Biloxi High School, where he was a finalist for Mississippi Mr. Basketball honors after leading the Biloxi Indians to the 5A State Championship and a 30-3 record, Isaiah Canaan, the son of proud parents Sardie Canaan and Nicole Martin and the grandson of Bettye Ramsey, was named to the finalist list for the Gatorade Player of the Year and included in The Clarion Ledger's Dandy Dozen; and

WHEREAS, there is no doubt that a talented and impressive young basketball player such as Isaiah Canaan will continue to achieve great success and be a source of enormous pride to his home community and state as he leaves Murray State University and continues his phenomenal game at the highest levels in the world of basketball; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by outstanding young Mississippians such as Isaiah Canaan:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate basketball standout Isaiah Canaan upon being named to the 2013 Lou Henson All-America Team and to the semifinal list for the AAU James E. Sullivan Award and extend best wishes for continued success in all of his future professional and personal endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Isaiah Canaan and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.