Jruuuuuue Holiday: National Player Of The Year

Campbell Hall of North Hollywood basketball standout Jrue Holiday was named the 2007-08 Gatorade National Boys' Basketball Player of the Year.

Holiday, who led the Vikings to three state championships in four seasons, including the Div. IV title this year, will receive his award this afternoon at a ceremony on campus.

The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 25.4 points, 11.2rebounds, 6.4assists, 4.4 steals and 2.4 blocks per game this year for the Vikings, his last before joining UCLA next season.

He's just the second player in area history to surpass 2,600 career points, finishing with 2,666. Mitchell Butler, who played at Oakwood of North Hollywood, scored 2,682points over his career.

"I've been telling people all year long that he's the most complete player in high school basketball," Coach Terry Kelly said of Holiday, who will receive his award during a ceremony today on campus.

It's the second consecutive year a high school player who signed with UCLA has received the boys' award. Last season's honoree was freshman center Kevin Love.

Two-time NBA All-Star Baron Davis, a UCLA recruit out of Santa Monica Crossroads, received the award in 1997.

"It's a terrific honor, a very special honor to be recognized as national player of the year," UCLA Coach Ben Howland said. "I'm excited for Jrue and his family because it's a great accomplishment. He led his team to another state championship, so he had a great year."

The award is based not only on outstanding athletic performance but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character on and off the court.