MEMPHIS, TN (MSCS) – Gatorade Player of the Year is a title every athlete recognizes. But for those less familiar with the world of sports, think LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, or recently drafted WNBA star Paige Bueckers. Now, a Memphis native will be able to attach the Gatorade Player of the Year to his name as an athlete, earning recognition as the top track and field athlete in the state of Tennessee.

Miles Nesmith, a standout from Central High School, was recently named Gatorade Tennessee Boys Track and Field Player of the Year. At this year’s Class 3A state meet, the rising senior claimed state titles in both the high jump and triple jump, setting a new state record in the latter with a mark of 51 feet, 7.5 inches. Nationally, he ended the spring season ranked No. 2 among high school boys in the triple jump (Huff, 2025).

While this award highlights elite athletic achievement, it also celebrates excellence beyond the field. According to Huff (2025), Nesmith maintained a “B” average in the classroom and volunteered as a youth track coach in the community. His story is proof that with hard work, dedication, and a desire to give back, there’s reward on the other side – and it shows once again that Greatness Grows Right Here at Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS).

Since 1985, the Gatorade Player of the Year award has honored the nation’s top high school student-athletes for their achievements on and off the field. Each winner also receives a $1,000 grant to donate to a local or national youth sports organization of their choice. (Gatorade Player of the Year – A History of Honoring the Future, n.d.)