Ransford Gyan’s outstanding journey from Ghana to perennial soccer energy St. Benedict’s Prep (Newark, N.J.) added one other spectacular accolade to the story this week, with the dynamic midfielder being named 2023-24 Gatorade Nationwide Boys Soccer Participant of the 12 months.
The shock announcement got here whereas Gyan competed in a youth soccer match in Tennessee, together with his coaches and teammates becoming a member of in on the spectacular achievement. To assist add to the trophy celebration, USMNT star Christian Pulisic gave the next-generation expertise a congratulatory name.
(Picture: Joe Greer, Courtesy of Gatorade)
It’s back-to-back Participant of the 12 months nods for Gyan, who provides his identify once more to a powerful checklist of previous winners—an all-star roster that has mixed for over 12 Nationwide Championships and contains 13 MLS first-round draft picks.
And the choice over the half one million different student-athletes who play highschool boys’ soccer, was greater than well-deserved.
“Ransford Gyan is one of the most talented players to emerge from the high school soccer arena in the past decade,” famous J.R. Eskilson, Nationwide Analyst for PrepSoccer.com in an announcement.
“A wizard with the ball at his feet, Gyan has that rare ability to create chances for his team in the blink of an eye. Lightning quick and sublimely skillful, he does things on a soccer pitch comparable to what you see at the professional level. Playing with a target on his back all season as the reigning Gatorade Boys Soccer National Player of the Year, Gyan raised his game and found multiple ways to help his team win even though he was regularly surrounded by a handful of defenders. The left-footed maestro delivered a masterpiece performance in his final high school season.”
Gyan was equally invaluable outdoors the strains. He was concerned with every little thing from volunteering on behalf of Newark’s St. Mary’s Parish Toussaint Meals Pantry to teaching younger athletes in affiliation with the CSA Newark Roots Program—all whereas sustaining a 3.68 GPA within the classroom.
It’s that kind of general resume that caught the eye of Gatorade, with Gatorade president and common supervisor Michael Del Pozzo noting that “Ransford won the top award in high school sports because he is someone who is a leader in all facets of his life.”
What’s subsequent on the journey?
The soccer standout now heads off to Clemson, the place he’ll assist construct on a nationally ranked Tigers squad that completed runner-up on this yr’s ACC Championship.
(Picture: Joe Greer, Courtesy of Gatorade)
