Marietta's Arik Gilbert Named Gatorade Male Athlete Of The Year

On Friday, Marietta Blue Devils Football’s Arik Gilbert was named the Gatorade Male Athlete pf the Year capping a senior season in which he helped lead the Blue Devils to the 2019 Georgia High School Association Class 7A state title. Back in December, Gilbert, who will be playing with the LSU Tigers this fall, was named the Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year and later named the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year. Gilbert told Sports Illustrated he was shocked finding out he earned the honor, adding “I never imaged I’d win something like this but now that I have it, I’m really grateful and thankful.” In addition to earning the Male AOY honor, Gilbert will be featured on the advance flip cover of Sports Illustrated along with the Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year, Paige Bueckers, a UCONN signee. Bueckers led Hopkins High School (Minnesota) to a 30-0 record this past season and the Class 4A state title. She averaged 21 points and nine assist per game.