UCLA men’s soccer’s incoming freshman Abu Danladi was named the 2013-2014 Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year Thursday.
The four-year Dunn High School (Calif.) varsity letterman is the No. 22-ranked recruit in the program’s incoming top-ranked recruit class. Over the course of his senior season, Danladi knocked in 25 goals and assisted on 15 more in leading Dunn to a standout 9-3-2 mark.
The nationally renown award recognizes an athlete’s high-end performance on the field along with both his efforts in the classroom and his character. According to the UCLA Athletes press release, the award “distinguishes Danladi as the nation’s best high school boys soccer player.”
The recognition marks the third time an incoming UCLA freshman has received the prestigious award, and the first since 2001-2002.
Moving forward, Danladi looks to add to an already talented Bruin men’s soccer roster that lost only a few players from last year’s No. 1 seeded NCAA tournament team.
Compiled by Chris Kalra, Bruin Sports senior staff