The Gatorade Player of the Year awards are given to both boys and girls at the high-school athletic level. They are given for baseball, football, softball, girls volleyball, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, girls and boys track & field, and boys and girls cross country. The award is given to the best athlete in their respective sport by state. Each state winner is in the running for the national winner. Then, the national winner of each boy's and girl's sport is eligible to become the boy's or girl's athlete of the year. Past national winners include Kobe Bryant for basketball.