Chris Paul Named Sportsman of the Year

The Los Angeles Sports Council has named L.A. Clippers point guard and six-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul the 2013 Sportsman of the Year. Paul will be honored during the ninth Annual LA Sports Awards, which will be held on Wednesday, March 5 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

The LA Sports Awards are presented annually by the Sports Council to celebrate the greatest moments of the year in sports in the Los Angeles/Orange County area.

The Sportsman award is given to the local male athlete whose performance and character best exemplified the ideals of sportsmanship during the calendar year.

The awards dinner and gala will be televised by FOX Sports West and Prime Ticket (air dates TBA), and will include special appearances by many of the athletes, coaches and others whose achievements helped make 2013 such a memorable sports year.

The ceremony also will feature the presentation of the Sportswoman, Coach, and Sports Executive of the Year Awards.

Also, beginning on January 16, fans can help rank the overall greatest sports moments for 2013 through balloting at http://www.lasports.org. Voting takes place until January 31. A countdown of the Top 10 moments will be revealed during the show.

The LA Sports Awards is a fundraiser for the non-profit Los Angeles Sports Council, which will utilize the event's proceeds to further its mission of promoting economic development through sports in the greater Los Angeles area. For dinner ticket information, contact Monica Maldonado at (213) 482-6352 or visit http://www.lasports.org.