Elite Recognition

Fueled by Greatness:
Gatorade Player of the Year

The most prestigious award in high school sports, Gatorade Player of the Year celebrates the nation’s best student-athletes for their success on and off the field.

The POY winners in a grid
Latest Announcement

Gatorade State Players of the Year

2023 - 2024 Boys Track & Field State Winners

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2023 - 2024 National Winners

The Best of the Best

From a nationwide pool of 610 Gatorade State Players of the Year, 12 student-athletes distinguish themselves as the best of the best and claim the title of Gatorade National Player of the Year.

The POY winners in a grid
State Winners 2023-2024

All-Around Excellence, All Around the Country

Each season, a selection committee evaluates the nation's top talent to choose one Gatorade State Player of the Year from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in 12 sports.

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Player of the Year Sports

The Most Elite Award in High School Sports

For decades, Gatorade has honored high school athletes at the top of their game as teammates, students and leaders in their communities, amassing an all-star group of alumni that transcend sport including Peyton Manning, Jayson Tatum, Paige Bueckers and Mallory Swanson.

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Football

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Boys & Girls
Cross Country

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Volleyball

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Boys & Girls
Basketball

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Boys & Girls
Soccer

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Softball

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Baseball

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Boys & Girls
Track & Field

Awarding Excellence

Recognizing Achievements Beyond Sport

The Gatorade Player of the Year holds athletes to the highest standard by recognizing the nation’s most outstanding high school student-athletes for accomplishments on the field of play and beyond. Awards are based on the following criteria.

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Athletic Excellence

Standout performance in a respective sport made at the high school, club, national, or international levels of competition.

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Academic Achievement

Review of GPA and class rank, as well as SAT and ACT scores, and academic honors distinctions.

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Exemplary Character

Commitment to sportsmanship, character, and community through membership and participation in positive activities.

The first break acaedemy receiving a 25 thousand dollar grant
Fueling Tomorrow

Empowering the Future of Sport

As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $4.9 million in grants to winners across more than 1,900 youth sports organizations.

Program Details

Nominate an Outstanding High
School Student-Athlete

Help recognize excellence by nominating an exceptional high school student-athlete who
represents the best in athletics, academics, and character.

Nominate
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The POY winners in a grid