Gatorade Player of the Year awards

The Gatorade Player of the Year awards are given annually to up and coming high school student-athletes in the United States.

[3] Selection is based on three criteria: athletic achievement, academic excellence, and exemplary character (including sportsmanship, and participation in community and other activities).

[3] Twelve "National Player of the Year" awards are then given, to the best student-athlete in each of the twelve sports, chosen from the state winners in the respective sport.

[5] The two winners are voted on by a national panel with about 400 sports journalists, coaches, and others.

[1] Past national winners include Peyton Manning and Emmitt Smith for football, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant for basketball, Allyson Felix for track and field, and Kerri Walsh for volleyball.

Gary Sheffield was the first winner of the award.
Kobe Bryant was the first winner not to play college basketball .
Candace Parker was the first female player to win the award multiple times.
Joe Mauer was the first winner not to play football collegiately or professionally.
Morgan Andrews was the first player to win the award multiple times.
Marion Jones was the first three-time winner of the award in any sport.
Kerri Walsh was the first winner of the award.