Gatorade 2023 - 2024: Player of the Year

Girls Basketball - Kentucky

athletes playing Girls Basketball
The POY Logo
GIRLS BASKETBALL

ZaKiyah Johnson

Guard/forward
SACRED HEART ACADEMY
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
JUNIOR
Height: 6-FOOT-1
Press Release

Peak Performance

18.900

Average Points (per game)

7.3

Average Rebounds (per game)

4.2

Average Assists (per game)

2.1

Average Steals (per game)
“Preparing for ZaKiyah is always a difficult task. Z’s athleticism, size and her understanding of the game is elite. She plays within her team’s system and oftentimes heavily involves her teammates. Z also has the ability to take over a game on any given night.”
Justin Holthaus
Head Coach - head coach of Cooper High
excellence star

Athletic Excellence

At the time of her selection, the 6-foot-1 junior guard and forward had led the Valkyries to a 26-7 record and a berth in the 7th Region Tournament championship game. Johnson averaged 18.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.1 steals through 33 games. The state’s two-time returning Gatorade Player of the Year, Johnson was the MVP of the 2023 State Tournament. Ranked as the nation’s No. 3 recruit in the Class of 2025 by Prospects Nation, she entered the regional final with 2,969 points in her prep basketball career.

a graduation cap

Academic Achievement

Johnson has maintained a 3.34 GPA in the classroom. She will begin her senior year of high school this fall.

first place ribbon

Exemplary Character

Johnson has volunteered locally with the Kiwanis Club and the Salvation Army. She has also donated her time as a youth basketball coach and referee.