Ben Simmons named Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year

LSU commit Ben Simmons named Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year

Ben Simmons has been named the 2014-15 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

Simmons, a 6’9” 235-pound forward and a native of Australia, will attend LSU next season.

Australian Ben Simmons takes unconvential path to top of '15 class

Simmons was presented with the award on Tuesday by nine-time NBA All-Star and NBA Hall of Fame forward Dominique Wilkins during a press conference at his high school, Montverde Academy in Florida.

Simmons is 2015’s No. 1 recruit by ESPN, Rivals.com and a McDonald’s All-American. He averaged 28 points, 11.9 rebounds and four assists this season, recording 24 double-double in 29 games for Montverde Academy.

Montverde (28-1) is ranked No. 2 in the USA Today Super 25 high school rankings.

Simmons has already won the Naismith High School Player of the Year.

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Last year's winner was Karl-Anthony Towns of Metuchen, New Jersey. Towns is averaging 10 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in his freshman season for undefeated Kentucky.

- Scooby Axson