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73 Days Until the State Baseball Announcement
Gatorade 2025 - 2026: Player of the Year

Boys Basketball - Hawaii

Gatorade Player of the year

Layden Kauka

Guard
KOHALA HS
KAPAAU, HAWAII
SENIOR
Height: 6-FOOT-1
Press Release

Peak Performance

23.6

Average Points (Per Game)

6.9

Average Rebounds (Per Game)

4.6

Average Assiss (Per Game)

3.1

Average Steals (Per Game)
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Kauka is worthy of representing Hawaii this year. Not only for his career achievements of three state championships and four league titles, but his senior season accomplishments. He does it all as a player. He can score from anywhere, over anyone and defends at an even higher level. Teams actually have to gameplan to double him on offense and go attack away from him on defense. We did and he still scored 42. He’s one of the most humble and hardworking kids I’ve coached against in 30 years.”
Fred Warner
Head Coach - Hawai’i Preparatory Academy

Athletic Excellence

The 6-foot-1, 162-pound senior guard led the Cowboys to a 25-4 record and a Division II HHSAA state championship this past season. Kauka averaged 26.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.1 steals while shooting 51.6 percent from the field, 41 percent from beyond the arc and 87 percent at the line. A three-time state champion, he was the Division II tournament’s Most Outstanding Player honoree. 

Academic Achievement

Kauka has maintained a 3.0 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play basketball at the University of Hawaii-Hilo this fall.

Exemplary Character

Kauka has volunteered locally with beach cleanups, an elementary school literacy outreach initiative and on behalf of his church community.