For budding NBA superstar Jamal Murray, the third time’s the charm.

After being nominated for a third year in a row, the Denver Nuggets' rising star was awarded the 2017 Civitan Sports Kitchener-Waterloo Athlete of the Year, beating out 11 strong competitors at Bingemans ballroom on Wednesday night.

“It means a lot more, everybody’s so focused on winning just events, and winning games and stuff,” said a gracious Murray after his acceptance speech. “But [you] come to realize it’s your hometown, it starts from where you started practicing, where you started growing up, it means a lot to be here, and to win at home."

Murray, a Kitchener native, who transitioned from shooting guard to point guard for the Nuggets this year, posted six 30-point games this season. The Nuggets fell just short of the NBA Playoffs by falling to fellow Canadian Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timberwolves on the final day of the season. However, Murray’s response in regards to a memorable moment allude to the camaraderie built off the court with his teammates.

“Just being [on the] journey, just being with the team, travelling, a lot of the fun stuff happens off the court, the games are already serious and stuff,” he said.

“Building the relationship with the guys, that makes basketball fun, I think that’s the best part.”

Murray averaged 16.7 points-per-game in his sophomore year and is already one of the Nuggets' key players.

He remained coy though when prompted for a prediction for this year's NBA champion, which is down to four teams remaining in the field.

“The Nuggets next year, I can’t vote this year,” he chuckled.

Prior to being drafted seventh overall by Denver in 2016, Murray spent time at Grand River Collegiate high school as well as Orangeville Prep. Murray spent a year with the NCAA's University of Kentucky Wildcats, where he shined as a freshman.