“Dave was an outstanding athlete, a great leader and a tenacious competitor, and we are proud to be able to extend his legacy to some of our future stars through this award,” said Steve Mills, president, Sports Team Operations, Madison Square Garden. “It is a fitting, on-going tribute to a true New York legend.”

"I know Dave would be honored that his name is being used to recognize both the on and off-court accomplishments of these great student-athletes. Our family sends our congratulations and wishes them the best for the future," said Gerri DeBusschere, widow of Dave DeBusschere.

Melanie Murphy maintained a 92+ average all four years at Midwood HS (Pre-Med Major) averaged 22.0 PPG, 8.0 rebounds and 7.0 assists as a senior. She was a four-year starter, team captain as a junior and senior. She scored 1,875 career points and is the only Midwood HS student-athlete to have her jersey retired. She won the PSAL Brooklyn Player of the Year as a junior (2005), she was a 1st Team MSG Network Tri-State All-Star in 2005 and this season, she was named NY1, Daily News and CBS High School Scholar Athlete of the Week. Murphy will attend Stanford in the fall.

Angelo Laroche maintained a 92 average at Grady HS and will graduate fifth in his class. He is a member of National Honor Society and will attend Skidmore College in the fall. Laroche, who tragically lost both parents, averaged 13.0 PPG, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the 2006 PSAL boys’ basketball runner-up Grady Falcons.

Dave DeBusschere starred at the University of Detroit and enjoyed a 12-year career in the NBA. He started his career in his hometown of Detroit and played for seven seasons before being traded to the Knicks in December 1968. He helped lead NY to the playoffs in each of his six seasons including NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. He made five NBA All-Star teams (1970-74) and one All-NBA Second Team (1969). He retired as a Knick in 1974 before returning to the organization as the executive vice president and director of basketball operations in 1982 where he presided for four seasons. He received the highest honor as a Knick on March 24, 1981 as his #22 jersey was retired to the rafters of MSG. Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983, he averaged 16.0 PPG and 10.7 RPG.

For more information on the Dave DeBusschere Award, logon to www.nyknicks.com.