The Gatorade 2012-13 Players of the Year (front row, from left): Trayvon Bromell, Edward Cheserek, Morgan Andrews, Andrew Wiggins, Sarah Baxter and Cristian Roldan. (Back row from left): Clint Frazier, Carley Hoover, Mercedes Russell, Max Browne, Lauren Carlini and Kendell Williams.
Photo courtesy of Gatorade/Susan Goldman
Speed interviews at Tuesday night's Gatorade Player of the Year event were both fun and poignant. The prep stars of today — future Olympians and college and professional stars — had plenty to say to more than 30 journalists over a two-hour span.
The hottest topic? Who do you want to meet most at the ESPY Awards? All received the hottest ticket in town Wednesday at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.
The most surprising answer came from a couple of big-sport dudes: USC-bound quarterback Max Browne
of Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.) and current Cleveland Indians' minor league
Clint Frazier of Loganville (Ga.), the No. 5 pick overall in the June Major League draft.
Frazier and Browne concurred: Justin Bieber.
Clint Frazier, Loganville
File photo by Dennis Carter
"I know that sounds dumb to some people — I know he's not an athlete — but look at his fan base and all the success he's had — way more than me," Frazier said. "I want to meet the guy."
Browne's No. 1 choice is to meet LeBron James — "Think big, right? It probably won't happen," he said — so he'll more than settle for Bieber.
"I won't be scared to talk to him because he's my age," Browne said. "Look at all he's done."
More answers from the 12 national sport winners, which included
the overall Athletes of the Year, basketball star
Andrew Wiggins of
Huntington Prep (W. Va.) and soccer sensation Morgan Andrews of
Milford (N.H.).
"Kobe Bryant," Wiggins said. "I've met LeBron at a camp before, but not many other NBA stars. So I'm looking forward to meeting many more."
National Volleyball Player of the Year Lauren Carlini
of Aurora West (Ill.) has one distinct athlete she's going after: Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.
The reason? He starred at the University of Wisconsin, which is the school Carlini will attend in the fall.
"He's definitely No. 1 but honestly, whoever I see, I'll ask if I can take a picture with them," she said. "I'll probably be star-struck."
Softball Player of the Year
Carley Hoover of Daniel (Central, S.C.) will take a similar tact, but is hoping Derek Jeter will make a surprise visit.
"I'll be happy to get a photo with any baseball player," she said.
She would surprise her friends back home if she brings home an ESPY. Well, some of her friends.
"Everyone thinks I'm up for an ESPY," she said with a laugh. "I tried to explain that wasn't true, but then I just went along with it."
Mercedes Russell, Springfield
File photo by Brian Murphy
Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year Kendall Williams of
Kell (Marietta, Ga.) said Bryant and James are at the top of her list, and then all of her track heroes, including her idol Allyson Felix.
National girls Basketball Player of the Year
Mercedes Russell of Springfield (Ore.) should be able to pick out Dwight Howard in the crowd — if he attends — and girls Cross Country AOY Sarah Baxter of
Simi Valley (Calif.) is hoping for 2008 10,000-meter bronze medalist Shalane Flannigan to appear.
Baxter, not a huge sports fan, said she might try to get photos and autographs for all the Gatorade POY nominees, including Wiggins, who is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2014 NBA draft. Wiggins, a 6-8, 215-pound wing, has been compared to James for his athleticism and skill set. Wiggins could be a regular at the ESPYs in the near future.
A basketball fan, Baxter said she watched highlights of Wiggins for the first time at the event. Her reaction? Three words.
"OH...MY...GOSH," she said. "He's really good."
