Prime Minister Stephen Harper caught wind on Monday of a young Vaughn, Ontario native winning the highly sought after Naismith Trophy as the top high school player in the United States.

 

“Just heard the news that the best High School basketball player in the United States is Canadian Andrew Wiggins. Congratulations @22wiggins!” tweeted Harper.

 

Wiggins, widely known for being a class act at only 18 years of age replied in kind.

 

“@pmharper Thank you sir, I appreciate your support!!”

 

How else are you suppose to reply to the Prime Minister after all?

 

Wiggins is currently attending Huntington Prep in Huntington, W. Va.,where he is averaging 23.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.4 steals and 2.1 blocks per game.  He received the news of the award on Monday. Last month Wiggins was also selected to the McDonald’s All-America Game.

 

Wiggins is regarded as the top North American prospect expected to be in the draft class of 2014 by the likes of ESPN and most top basketball ranking outlets.  He has yet to decide where he will attend college next fall (although Florida State appears a likely destination)  as he is also the most sought after collegiate recruit in 2013.

 

Wiggins helped Canada win bronze medals at both the 2010 FIBA Under-17 World Championships and the 2012 FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.

 

He is one of a new generation of Basketball stars coming out of Canada and should provide many years of excitement for hoops fans north of the border as he appears to be a committed member of the National program now fronted by Canadian superstar Steve Nash.

 

The Naismith Award is named after Dr. James Naismith, the  Canadian Born and educated founder of the sport of basketball.  The awards annual winner is selected by basketball journalists from across the United States and is based on the 2013 high school season.

Past winners include Dwight Howard (2004), LeBron James (2003), Kobe Bryant (1996) and Jason Kidd (1992).

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