By Nate Taylor – ntaylor@newsobserver.com
Gatorade, in collaboration with ESPNHS, today announced guard Rodney Purvis of Upper Room Christian Academy as its Gatorade North Carolina boys basketball Player of the Year. Purvis is the first Player of the Year to be chosen from Upper Room.
The award recognizes outstanding athletic excellence and high standards of academic achievement along with exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court. Purvis is also now a finalist for the National Player of the Year award to be announced later this month.
“It means a lot,” Purvis said. “It’s an honor to have my name on that award.”
Purvis, who is 6-foot-4 and 199-pound, led the Eagles to a 24-16 record and the Greater Carolina High School Athletic Association championship this past season.
“I’m just happy and proud for him,” coach Avie Lester said. “It’s nice that people acknowledge his work and effort.”
Named GCHSAA Most Valuable Player, Purvis scored 24 points in the 85-61, title-clinching victory against Quality Education Academy.
“Rodney is very explosive and attacks the basket with so much force,” Quality Education Academy coach Isaac Pitts said. “Yet, he’s always in complete control of his body, and his demeanor on the court never changes regardless of the circumstances. We all know of his greatness as a player, but I believe he’s an even better person.”
Purvis is a McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic selection.
He is also an invitee to the LeBron James Skills Academy, the Adidas Nations Camp and National Basketball Players Association Top 100 Camp.
He also has maintained a 3.29 GPA after he was diagnosed with a learning disability in eighth grade.
“My mom didn’t want to go to a public school,” Purvis said. “This school has definitely helped me a lot.”
He has volunteered at the local Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and has been a motivational speaker to youth student-athletes.
Purvis has signed to play on scholarship at N.C. State this fall.
Nate Taylor joins the News & Observer as a sports reporter and sports editor for the North Raleigh News and the Midtown Raleigh News. He has written for the Boston Globe, the Minneapolis Star Tribune and his hometown newspaper, the Kansas City Star. He graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 2010. He can be reached at 829-4538 or at
Comments
I don't care what anyone thinks or where these kids go to school
Fri, 03/23/2012 - 13:37 — gvillegatrBut if this place isn't a diploma mill, I don't know what one is.