La Salle's Liam Simpson was named 2025 Gatorade RI Basketball Player of the Year. Here's why.
As far as senior seasons goes, it doesn’t get much better than helping your team go undefeated in the regular season, win the Division I Tournament then go on and win your program’s first State Championship in a decade.
But it just got better for La Salle’s Liam Simpson.
Few players impacted games the way Simpson did for the Rams this season. After helping guide La Salle to two championships while earning MVP honors for his play in the RIIL Boys Basketball State Tournament, Simpson added another Thursday when he was named the 2024-25 Gatorade Rhode Island Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
At 6-foot-6, it’s hard not to notice Simpson when he steps on the court, but his play is what really made him stand out.
After losing in dramatic finishes in last year’s Division I and State Tournament championship games, Simpson played with fire and passion this year as the Rams rolled through the season undefeated. On a team loaded with elite scoring talent, Simpson averaged 12.1 points, 15.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game. In La Salle’s 75-60 win over Hendricken in the state final, Simpson scored 21 points and had 17 rebounds and earned MVP honors for the tournament.
His excellence isn’t limited to the hardwood. Simpson has volunteered as a “buddy” for special needs basketball players and at a summer camp for kids with special needs. He also donates his time as a referee for youth basketball.
In the classroom, Simpson has maintained an A average. He is undecided on future college plans and is leaning toward a prep year to help with goal of playing basketball at the next level.
Simpson makes history with the honor, becoming the first La Salle player to earn Gatorade Player of the Year honors in boys basketball. It’s the 50th time a La Salle athlete has been honored by Gatorade and Simpson is the 26th La Salle boy and 41th athlete overall to earn a Gatorade Player of the Year nod.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: The 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year for boys basketball in Rhode Island
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