Next Generation of Stars Among Finalists
ATLANTA (Feb. 16, 2023) – Today, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced the five finalists for the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Boys Player of the Year Trophy and the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Boys Coach of the Year honor. The group includes Cameron Boozer, son of former Duke star and NBA veteran Carlos Boozer. Boozer joins a short list of underclassmen named as finalists, adding to Boozer’s accolades as he is viewed as a top prospect in the 2025 class. D.J. Wagner was also named a finalist and will look to follow in the footsteps of his father, Dujuan Wagner, who won the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Trophy in 2001. Kentucky has two commits on the list in Wagner and Justin Edwards. Also on the list is Isaiah Collier, a top-rated point guard committed to the University of Southern California, and Ron Holland, a five-star power forward committed to Texas.
Returning as a Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Boys Coach of the Year finalist is Kevin Boyle of Montverde Academy, a 3-time winner of the award, including 2020 and 2018 at Montverde, and 2011 at St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, NJ. The winner of the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Boys Coach of the Year award will be announced Thursday, March 2, followed by the Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Boys Player of the Year Trophy announcement on Friday, March 3.
“These award finalists were selected for their outstanding skill on the court and their leadership from the bench all season long,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “Each finalist is deserving in their own right; it is always difficult to narrow the finalists down to one winner, but we’re excited to see how these players and coaches finish their seasons.”
“Jersey Mike’s is thrilled to honor the top high school boys players and coaches of the season,” said Jeff Hemschoot, vice president of marketing, Jersey Mike’s. “The finalists for these awards represent the very best of the sport. We applaud the players for their outstanding play and salute the coaches for their leadership and for developing the next generation of stars.”
2023 Naismith High School Boys Player of the Year Finalists
| FULL NAME | CLASS | POS | HOMETOWN | SCHOOL | COMMITTED TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Boozer | Sophomore | PF | Miami, FL | Christopher Columbus High School | |
| Isaiah Collier | Senior | PG | Marietta, GA | Wheeler High School | USC |
| Justin Edwards | Senior | SF | Philadelphia, PA | Imhotep Institute Charter High School | Kentucky |
| Ron Holland | Senior | PF | Duncanville, TX | Duncanville High School | Texas |
| D.J. Wagner | Senior | PG | Camden, NJ | Camden High School | Kentucky |
2023 Naismith High School Boys Coach of the Year Finalists
| FULL NAME | SCHOOL | CITY, STATE |
| Bill Armstrong | Link Academy | Branson, MO |
| Ryan Bernardi | Prolific Prep | Napa Valley, CA |
| Kevin Boyle | Montverde Academy | Montverde, FL |
| Glenn Farello | St. Paul VI Catholic High School | Chantilly, VA |
| Ty White | John Marshall High School | Richmond, VA |
ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB
Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA’s Lew Alcindor received the first Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include Jersey Mike’s and Werner Ladder.
ABOUT JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS
Jersey Mike’s Subs, with more than 2,300 locations open and under development nationwide, serves authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs on in-store freshly baked bread — the same recipe it started with in 1956. Passion for giving in Jersey Mike’s local communities is reflective in its mission statement “Giving…making a difference in someone’s life.” For more information, please visit jerseymikes.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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Media Contact:
Traci Messier
Jackson Spalding for the Atlanta Tipoff Club
706-816-6022