Trio of hoops stars named finalists for Gatorade High School Player of the Year award

Three of the nation’s top boys high school basketball players can add another honor to their long list of accomplishments over the past four years.

On Thursday, Gatorade named a trio of finalists for its boys basketball player of the year award, tabbing Columbus (Fla.) star Cameron Boozer, Riverside (Calif.) guard Brayden Burries and Holy Innocents Episcopal (Ga.) standout Caleb Wilson to the list. Each also won their respective state Gatorade Player of the Year honor and are coming off state championship runs with their high school teams.

Previous winners of the award include NBA stars LeBron James, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jayson Tatum, as well as 2024 winner and Duke freshman All-American Cooper Flagg.

Below we’ll break down each of the three finalists, all of whom rank as five-stars in the recently updated On3 Industry Recruiting Rankings:

PF Cameron Boozer — Duke signee

The son of former NBA standout Carlos Boozer, Cameron has had as decorated of a high school career as any prospect in recent memory. In addition to multiple gold medals with Team USA’s junior squads, he led Columbus to a 114-16 record and four consecutive 7A state titles during his time there.

He scored in double-figures in every game this season, and averaged 22.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. Should he take home the award this year, it would make him one of only a handful of repeat winners after he did so as a sophomore in 2022-23.

PF Caleb Wilson – North Carolina signee

The 6-foot-9 forward dominated on both ends of the floor during his senior season season, averaging 21.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.6 blocks and 2.1 steals per game. He was the defensive backbone of a team didn’t allow more than 45 points in a game the entire postseason as they cruised to a state title.

He committed to the Tar Heels in January over Ohio State, Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee and dozens of other offers.

“Where Wilson shines is on the defensive end of the floor,” On3’s Jamie Shaw writes about him as a prospect. “He moves his feet well and is naturally able to cut angles in the half court. Wilson also has the ability to open his hips and move laterally to switch and slide. He can guard down a lineup and protect the paint with his length and frame. He rotates well defensively and is not afraid to mix it up physically. The defensive versatility, at his size, is where a lot of his projected value comes at this point.”

SG Brayden Burries

One of the top unsigned seniors in the country, Burries averaged 29.7 points per game as a senior en route to a title as well. He reached 40 five times and broke the 50 mark once, but arguably his most impressive showing was a 44-point outburst in the California Open Division state championship. In addition to his scoring prowess, he added 8.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.9 steals per contest.

Burries has kept a tight lid on his recruitment and remains available as we head to the end of March. Tennessee, Oregon, Alabama, SMU, and Arizona have hosted him for official visits so far in his recruitment.

“The 6-foot-5 guard toggles between the lead and off-guard roles, playing a poised game with strength, positional size, and skill,” says Shaw.