Gatorade recognizes Eikmeier

Wes Eikmeier has joined an elite fraternity.

The Fremont Bergan junior was named by Gatorade on Wednesday as its 2006-07 Nebraska Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

Eikmeier, who averaged 25.9 points and 5.5 assists per game while leading the Knights to the Class C-2 state semifinals, may be the first junior to earn the honor for Nebraska.

The roll call of past winners includes current Texas center Matt Hill, Creighton University guards Josh Dotzler and Nick Bahe, former University of Nebraska standouts Terrance Badgett and Wes Wilkinson and former Iowa point guard Andre Woolridge.

“It is a huge honor for him, no question,” Bergan coach Chris Paulson said about the Iowa State recruit. “It is one of the elite awards you can win as a basketball player. It recognizes the best in the state.”

According to Gatorade officials, state winners are selected not only for their outstanding athletic performance, but also for meeting high academic achievement standards while demonstrating exemplary personal character on and off he court.

Eikmeier, who has a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society, is now eligible for Gatorade’s National Player of the Year. Greg Oden, who helped Ohio State reach the NCAA Tournament final Monday night, won the honor in 2006.

Paulson said Eikmeier was caught off guard when notified he had won the honor.

“He was a little surprised,” Paulson said. “He is very humble and very appreciative about it.”

The 6-3 Eikmeier has scored 1,355 points in his three seasons with the Knights. He shot 53.4 percent from the field and was a Super State selection by the Omaha World-Herald.

Although the Knights’ season ended last month, Eikmeier hasn’t slowed down his pursuit to improve. He is playing on a team this spring and has earned a spot on the Nebraska Bison Red all-star team that travels during the summer.

“He is taking the spring to work on his strength and get himself where he physically wants to be,” Paulson said. “He wants to play at Iowa State right away so he is working hard on the weights and wants to put on some extra pounds.”

For more on the Gatorade honors’ program, visit www.gatorade.com/playeroftheyear.