Gatorade Announces Players of the Year

Thursday, March 26th, 2020

CHICAGO (March 26, 2020) — In its 35th year of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, announced the Boys Basketball Player of the Year recipients in all 50 states. 

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes recipients as the best high school boys basketball player in their respective states. 

Maine - Bryce Lausier, Hampden Academy

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound senior guard led the Braves to a 21-1 record and the Class A state championship this past season. Lausier averaged 26.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game. The 2020 Mr. Maine Basketball honoree, he is also an All-State selection and the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Player of the Year.     

Lausier is president of his class and has volunteered locally on behalf of youth basketball programs. "Bryce Lausier just does everything really well," said T.J. Maines, head coach at Cony High. "He rebounds exceptionally well for a guard, he has really good vision and he can score on all three levels."    

Lausier has maintained an A average in the classroom. He remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.

New Hampshire - Jordan Geronimo, St. Paul's School

The 6-foot-6, 205-pound senior forward averaged 18.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game this past season as the Pelicans battled to an 8-14 record. Geronimo is a two-time Lakes Region League All-Star and a 2020 All-New England Class A honoree. He is ranked as the nation's No. 90 recruit in the Class of 2020 as rated by 247Sports.com.       

The head of St. Paul's Student Cultural Alliance, Geronimo helps provide a space for the school's minority population to feel comfortable. "Jordan is ultra-athletic," said Gregor Makechnie, head coach of Proctor Academy. "He's a very good shot-blocker and a solid defender. He finishes well around the rim, and he seems like a very good teammate—positive and encouraging."      

Geronimo has maintained a 3.98 GPA in the classroom and represents one of the state's top candidates in meeting the Gatorade award's broad criteria. He has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball on scholarship at Indiana University this fall.

Rhode Island - Erickson Bans, Shea High School

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound senior guard led the Raiders to a 17-8 record and a berth in the Open State Tournament at the time of his selection. Bans averaged 30.1 points and 6.0 assists through 25 games. A three-time All-State selection, Bans was the 2019 Providence Journal Player of the Year. He entered the Open State Tournament with a state-record 2,570 points in his prep basketball career.      

An assistant coach for the Shea High Unified basketball team, which promotes social inclusion for children with intellectual disabilities, Bans has also volunteered locally as a youth basketball coach. "Erickson is a scary player to prepare for and to coach against," said Joe Occhi, head coach of Portsmouth High. "He has next-level quickness and unlimited shooting range when he gets going. He has the ability to click for 30-40 points in any game."      

Bans has maintained a weighted 3.44 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball on scholarship at Bryant University this fall.

Vermont - Logan Wendell, St. Johnsbury Academy

The 6-foot-1, 160-pound senior guard led the Hilltoppers to a 17-6 record and the Division 1 state championship game this past season. Wendell averaged 24.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game. An All-Metro selection, he was also named to the Vermont Basketball Coaches Association Dream Dozen.        

An orientation leader in his school, Wendell has served as class treasurer and has volunteered locally on behalf of youth basketball programs.  "Logan Wendell is an unbelievable competitor," said Mike Wood, head coach at Rutland High. "He has tremendous range, but he's also shown the ability to hit the mid-range shot consistently and get to the basket. He draws a lot of attention from opposing defenses and he's done a nice job of elevating the play of his teammates."    

Wendell has maintained an A average in the classroom. He remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.

Connecticut - Mac Etienne, Suffield Academy

The 6-foot-10, 245-pound junior post averaged 15 points, 13 rebounds, four blocks and two assists for the Tigers, who battled to a 10-13 record this past season against an elite schedule. An All-NEPSAC selection in 2019, Etienne is ranked as the nation’s No. 59 recruit and the No. 11 center in the Class of 2021 by 247 Sports.

Etienne has donated his time as a peer tutor and has volunteered at youth basketball clinics. “Mac is a really, really talented player,” said Shavar Bernier, head coach at Taft School. “A high-major kid who looks and plays the part. He’s really grown in terms of his skillset over the last couple years.”

Etienne has maintained a B average in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school in the fall.

Massachusetts - Dallion Johnson, Phillips Andover Academy

The 6-foot-2, 175-pound senior guard averaged 22.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game this past season, leading the Big Blue (14-12) to the New England Prep School Athletic Council Class A Tournament semifinals this past season. A three-time NEPSAC All-Star,
he concluded his prep basketball career with 1,600 points.

An avid sculptor, Johnson is also an NAACP Youth Member. He has volunteered locally as part of multiple fundraising campaigns to benefit cancer research, and he has donated his time as a youth mentor and basketball coach. “Dallion is a tough competitor who gets better every year,” said Max Gordon, head coach of St. Paul’s School. “He is a high-level shot-maker from outside the 3-point line, but he can also score in the paint. He is also a composed leader with the ball—never selfish, never in a hurry, just poised and ready to do what his team needs to win.”

Johnson has maintained a B average in the classroom. He has signed a national letter of intent to play basketball on scholarship at Penn State University this fall.

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