Gatorade National Male Basketball Player of the Year Watch List

Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Alabama are home to some of the top nominees for the Gatorade National Male Basketball Player of the Year.

Emoni Bates, Ypsi Prep Academy (Ypsilanti, Mich.)

After one of the best starts to a career in high school basketball history, Bates has struggled early. He is shooting 38 percent from the field and 25 percent from 3-point range, while averaging 26.2 points and 7.4 rebounds.

Tamar Bates, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)

The Ascenders went 1-2 at the St. James NIBC Invitational, but Bates was a model of consistency. He averaged 16.7 points and shot 58 percent from the field and 7-of-14 from 3-point range.

Matthew Cleveland, Pace Academy (Atlanta, Ga)

The Top 25 national prospect has been the catalyst for the one-loss Knights, who are No. 17 in the latest MaxPreps Top 25 rankings. The Florida State signee is averaging 23.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.9 steals.

Daimion Collins, Atlanta (Texas)

Five-star Kentucky signee continues to put up incredible numbers this season, averaging 34 points and 15 rebounds for the 11-5 Rabbits.

JD Davison, Calhoun (Letohatchee, Ala.)

The Tigers have struggled to a 11-6 start, but Davison has played at a high level averaging 34.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.0 steals. The five-star guard opened the season with a career-high 57-point outing.

Jalen Duren, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)

The clubhouse favorite right now dominated competition at the St. James NIBC Invitational, averaging 15.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.1 assists across seven games for the top-ranked Eagles. The junior center made several impressive plays, including an incredible block that landed at No. 2 in ESPN’s Top 10 plays.

Jabari Smith, Sandy Creek (Tyrone, Ga.)

The Top 5 senior prospect has been dominant this year for the Patriots, leading them to a spot among the nation’s top 50 teams. Smith is averaging 24 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.0 blocks.

Chet Holmgren, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis, Minn.)

The unique 7-foot prospect is averaging 21 points through the Redhawks first two games. Holmgren was dominant in limited summer action, including an impressive 31 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks in a nationally televised head-to-head matchup with Emoni Bates.

MJ Rice, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)

After missing most of his sophomore year due to injury, Rice has put together a strong junior campaign for the fifth-ranked Warriors where he is averaging 18.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

Written by: Jacquez McCoy