Press release
JUJU WATKINS NAMED 2022-23 GATORADE NATIONAL GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Two-Time WNBA Champion Candace Parker Surprised Watkins with Honor CHATSWORTH, Calif., March 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the
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[{"type":"text","content":"Two-Time WNBA Champion Candace Parker Surprised Watkins with Honor\nCHATSWORTH, Calif., March 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Juju Watkins of Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Calif. is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Watkins won the prestigious award for her accomplishments on and off the court, joining an impressive group of former Gatorade National Girls Basketball Players of the Year who have combined for more than nine WNBA MVP awards, 53 All-Star appearances, 15 WNBA championships, 15 WNBA first round draft picks and two became Hall of Famers.\nTwo-time WNBA champion and two-time Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year Candace Parker surprised Watkins with the news, while her family, coaches and teammates showed up with the trophy at school. Check out a video of the announcement here.\nThe Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes athletes not just for their excellence on the playing surface, but for their commitment in the classroom and impact in their community. Watkins was selected from nearly half a million other student-athletes who play girls basketball nationwide, topping the list of state winners in girls basketball who collectively boast an incredible list of accomplishments, including 30 with signed National Letters of Intent to play girls basketball at Division I colleges/universities and 38 with a GPA of 3.5 and above. \n\"Juju was in the conversation as one of the nation's top players in the Class of 2023 prior to playing her first high school game,\" said Chris Menning, a national evaluator for Blue Star Basketball and U.S. Junior Nationals. \"She truly separated herself from her peers as an upperclassman—her game continually evolved. A power guard who attacks the court with strength and vision, she still makes plays even when shots aren't falling. Her competitiveness and character make her a welcome addition to the legacy of the Gatorade National Player of the Year.\"\nThe 6-foot-2 senior guard led the Trailblazers to a 31-1 record and the statewide CIF Open Division tournament semifinals this past season. California's returning Gatorade Player of the Year, Watkins averaged 27.5 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.7 blocks per game, sparking Sierr...