The McDonald’s All American Games and Hall of Fame Coach and Selection Committee Chair,Morgan Wootten, announced Ben Simmonsand Katie Lou Samuelson as winners of the 2015 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award today for their accomplishments on and off the court.
Ben Simmons, a 6-foot-9, 225 pound power forward at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida is the second player from a Florida high school to win the male Morgan Wootten Award following Austin Rivers’ win in 2011. Samuelson is a 6-foot-3 standout wing from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. She is the first female player from California to earn the award and the 14th overall female winner.
On the court, Simmons led his team to back-to-back high school national championships in 2013 and 2014. He also won a silver medal as a member of the Australian U17 national team at the 2012 FIBA World Championships. Off the court, Simmons takes pride in volunteering with Basketball Buddies, a program where high school athletes serve as positive role models and mentors to younger students.
“I am honored to accept the 2015 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year award. It is humbling to be selected from a group of my peers, all of whom I consider to be high caliber players,” said Simmons. “This is an exciting time in my life and I’m very happy that the hard work is paying off. I am fortunate to play on a great team at Montverde and to have skilled coaches who have helped develop my game.”
Samuelson is the top-rated player in the female 2015 class. During her career she has won five gold medals as a member of Team USA, which includes a gold at the U17 FIBA World Championships where Samuelson served as captain and leading scorer. Off the court, she has volunteered with Down Syndrome Association of Orange County, Hoopstars, which is a basketball league for adults with special needs, and Buddy Walk for children with disabilities.
“I am truly grateful to receive the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year award,” said Sameulson. “It is an honor to be associated with the list of great players who have won this award before me and receive an award from a coach who has accomplished so much on and off the court.”
Simmons and Samuelson represent what a model athlete should be, strong, dedicated and focused. These two will receive the Morgan Wooten Player of the Year award on March 31 in Chicago, during an official award presentation.