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Villanova's champs pick up Wanamaker Award

Being a La Salle graduate, Mayor Kenney said it took some time for him to learn the "V for Villanova" song during the Wildcats' run to the national championship.

Being a La Salle graduate, Mayor Kenney said it took some time for him to learn the "V for Villanova" song during the Wildcats' run to the national championship.

But during a ceremony Wednesday honoring Villanova with the John Wanamaker Athletic Award, Kenney not only flashed the "V" sign during his remarks, he also sang the portion of the Cats fight song that starts, "V for Villanova, V for victory."

Jay Wright saw that kind of support offered by basketball fans throughout Philadelphia and the suburbs regardless of allegiance, starting with the parade on Market Street four days after the Wildcats defeated North Carolina in the title game on Kris Jenkins' three-point basket. It hasn't stopped since.

"That's the beauty of Philadelphia, that's what makes it special," Villanova's coach said during a luncheon in the Crystal Tea Room of the Wanamaker building.

"This is really a unique college basketball town. I understand how all the other teams in the city, how difficult it is to compete against each other when one team gets it going, how to jump on board. It's not easy. We understand that because we compete against each other.

"But we all do appreciate how we all represent Philadelphia basketball. It means a lot to every team in this city."

Wright was accompanied to the luncheon by Jenkins, fellow senior Josh Hart and, yes, the national championship trophy.

Even now, more than 21/2 months later, the achievement hasn't totally sunk in. Hart, who briefly flirted with the NBA draft before announcing his return, said it has been tough, in a good way.

"Sometimes I'll be in my room playing Xbox - that's about all I do - and say, 'Dang, we won that,'" he said. "So it's a great feeling. Now we're kind of ready for that feeling to . . . not go away but just kind of put that in the back of our mind and get ready for the year ahead."

The ceremony was presented by PHL Sports, formerly the Philadelphia Sports Congress, a division of the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau. It included the presentation of the Robert P. Levy Community Service Award to Philadelphia City Rowing for improving "the quality of life in Philadelphia through sports," and the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation's sports volunteer of the year award to Rahim Thompson, founder of the Chosen League, considered one of the top playground basketball leagues in the country.

To the ESPYs

ESPN announced that Villanova has been nominated in four categories for the 2016 ESPY Awards: best team, best coach/manager (Wright), best game (national championship), and best play (Jenkins' buzzer-beating shot).

Fans can cast their vote at ESPYS.com. The awards will televised live July 13 on 6ABC.

jjuliano@phillynews.com

@joejulesinq