For the second time in five years, a Kentucky Wildcat was named the Gatorade Male Athlete of the Year. On Tuesday night, incoming center Karl Towns, of St. Joseph High (New Jersey), was named this year’s recipient at a banquet in Los Angeles. In 2010, Brandon Knight won the honor.
Towns is the No. 5 overall recruit in the Class of 2014, according to Rivals. The 7-foot-1 Towns was the first commit in the incoming class, later joined by guard Tyler Ulis and Devin Booker and forward Trey Lyles. Towns, the highest rated of the four, averaged 21.5 points, 13.7 points and 6.4 blocks per game as a senior.