News Summary
Wilson High School’s Josh Leonard has been honored as Gatorade South Carolina Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Standing 6’7″ and weighing 230 lbs, Leonard averaged 21.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, leading his team to a state tournament semifinals appearance. His dedication extends beyond basketball, as he donated a $1,000 grant to support local youth organizations. Leonard’s performance has made him a top-ranked prospect and a significant figure in his community, inspiring future athletes.
Florence, S.C. – Wilson High School student-athlete Josh Leonard has been honored as the Gatorade South Carolina Boys Basketball Player of the Year for 2025. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding high school athletes across the nation for their achievements both on and off the court.
Leonard stands at 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 230 pounds. In his freshman season, he made a significant impact on the team, averaging 21.7 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, leading the Wilson High Tigers to an impressive record of 21-9 and a spot in the Class AAAA state tournament semifinals. His on-the-court success has earned him recognition as South Carolina’s top high school boys basketball player.
Throughout the season, Leonard exhibited exceptional skill and versatility, shooting 59.1% from inside the arc and 39.2% from three-point range, achieving a remarkable true shooting percentage of 61%. His coach, DJ Kelly from Marion High School, has identified him as a “top-ranked prospect” who consistently carries his program’s burden. Additionally, Leonard’s significant performance has led him to being ranked as the No. 8 recruit in the nation for his class by Rivals.
In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Leonard is committed to giving back to his community. Through Gatorade’s Player of the Year Community Grant initiative, he has donated a $1,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area. This donation is intended to support the organization’s mission to inspire young people to become productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Leonard expressed that making this donation was a significant honor, further acknowledging the peace of mind the Boys & Girls Club provided during his upbringing.
Neal Zimmerman, the executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area, highlighted that Leonard’s generous contribution reflects the staff’s efforts and underscores the importance of giving back to the community.
Josh Leonard is now part of a distinguished group of past recipients of the Gatorade South Carolina Boys Basketball Player of the Year award, which includes notable athletes such as Cam Scott, Gregory “GG” Jackson, and Bryce McGowens. The program has made a substantial impact, awarding over $5.6 million in grants to student-athletes nationwide to support various social impact initiatives.
Leonard is among the 610 Gatorade State Player of the Year recipients across the country who are eligible to donate grants. Additionally, these players can nominate organizations for further funding opportunities, including Spotlight Grants worth $10,000 aimed at enhancing community projects.
As Leonard continues his journey in high school basketball, his dedication to both the game and his community sets a notable standard for future athletes.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Spectrum Local News: Gatorade South Carolina Player of the Year
- Google Search: Gatorade South Carolina Player of the Year
- Post and Courier: Wilson High Gatorade Grant
- Wikipedia: Boys’ Basketball
- SCNOW: Boys Basketball Highlights
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Athlete
- Post and Courier: SC Teacher of the Year
- Google News: South Carolina High School Basketball
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
