Early Season Preview: Potential Gatorade Player Of The Year

<!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Winning a state title is always a feeling that can't be explained, but securing the Gatorade Player of the Year award holds a value that some players put on a different type of pedestal. With the voting process being left up to a majority of the coaches around the state and the Gatorade committee, it truly is anyone's race. However, I believe one of these five will take home that trophy.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["335739"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fb091670576"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>The chances of Destiny bringing home all of the prestigious awards for Illinois are not far-fetched. She had a huge summer, being placed on a national stage, whether it was competing with her AAU program or attending invite-only camps (UA, Puma, Wooten), as well as being part of the inaugural season for Overtime Select. With her recent announcement to stay home for the next chapter of her career at Illinois, Jackson has been thrust into the spotlight once again.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/prepgirlshoops/status/1835753193726157151?s=61","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/prepgirlshoops/status/1835753193726157151?s=61 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["352114"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1039448,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fb091670630"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>The future SEC standout has had quite the year. Back in February, she helped lead her team to a state final win for 4A. Months later, she was named one of the top 5 best players across the entire Adidas Circuit. She was mentioned in the top 10 in almost every major statistical category as a leader recorded over the course of the AAU season. Heading into her senior season, Galvan has a ton of eyes on her, and her chances of delivering are high.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/prepgirlshoops/status/1825963564059832762?s=61","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/prepgirlshoops/status/1825963564059832762?s=61 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["352113"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fb0916706a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Though Todd didn't play the entire summer, Ella has cemented her name as one of the best all-around players in the state, and that was on display earlier this year when Fremd secured 3rd place in the state finals. On both ends of the court, she's a handful to deal with, but personally, I believe she's one of the best defenders in the state regardless of position and class. Her frame, her speed, and her ability to cover 1-3 are major assets and should translate to the next level seamlessly. This upcoming season, I think we'll see Ella unlock a new level to her game, along with her leadership. She's used to being one of the younger stars in a program, but this senior season, the Vikings will go as far as she does.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/ellatodd22/status/1715468185065988550?s=61","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/ellatodd22/status/1715468185065988550?s=61 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419468"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fb09167071b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Ezike has such a quiet and reserved aura about her, but the moment the ball is tossed up, you see a whole different side—a walking 15 and 10. Nora is easily coming off the best summer of her AAU career, and being placed on ESPN's top 100 is a statement as well. With her commitment made mid-summer, Ezike now has her focus on this upcoming high school season. Leading a competitive Lyons Township team to a deep playoff run will be at the top of her goals.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/nezike15/status/1811127204295888908?s=61","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/nezike15/status/1811127204295888908?s=61 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["335720"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66fb091670797"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>We have yet to see Nikki at her very best in high school, which is scary to think about—seeing how much she's done in 3 years. However, after losing a couple of major pieces to her HS program, Kerstien will be tasked with doing more, and she has the skill set to do it. The offers are still rolling in, and there hasn't been a decision on where she'll start her college career, but I don't think they will affect her play at all. We could be in for a monster senior season for Nikki.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/nikkikerstein/status/1812285944126447926?s=61","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/nikkikerstein/status/1812285944126447926?s=61 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->