West Valley's Jayden Miranda named Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year

The junior led the Wolfpack to a conference title and the top seed at the state tournament.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:35pm

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West Valley High School junior guard Jayden Miranda has been named the Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year. Miranda led the Wolfpack to a Mid Alaska Conference championship and the No. 1 seed at the 2026 ASAA 4A state tournament, averaging 14.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game while shooting over 50% from the field and 39.7% from 3-point range.

Why it matters

The Gatorade Player of the Year award is one of the most prestigious individual honors in high school sports, recognizing not just athletic achievement but also academic excellence and character. Miranda's selection continues West Valley's strong basketball tradition, as he is just the second player from the program to receive the award.

The details

Through 23 games this season, the 5-foot-11 Miranda led the Wolfpack to a 22-4 record. He was praised by North Pole head coach Travis Church as "the best player on the best team in the state." Miranda maintained a 3.36 GPA and has volunteered with the Fairbanks Community Food Bank, coached youth basketball, and taken multiple cooking classes in high school.

  • Miranda was named the Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year on March 22, 2026.
  • The Wolfpack fell just short of advancing to the state championship game, losing 59-52 to fifth-seeded South Anchorage on Friday.

The players

Jayden Miranda

A junior guard for the West Valley Wolfpack who was named the Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year.

Stewart Erhart

A two-time recipient of the Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year award, who was honored in back-to-back years from 2022-23 as the first player from the West Valley program to receive the honor.

Travis Church

The head coach of the North Pole High School basketball team, who praised Miranda as "the best player on the best team in the state."

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What they’re saying

“It feels good and it was definitely one of the goals that I had to check off my checklist. I woke up and I didn't know. My coach told me, and it was just excitement in my heart. My heart was beating and I was just smiling.”

— Jayden Miranda

“Miranda is a great kid on and off the court — gets good grades and never gets in trouble. Looking around 4A, I don't see anyone who would measure up. He's the best player on the best team in the state. It's hard for me to imagine going with anyone else.”

— Travis Church, North Pole head coach

What’s next

The top-seeded Wolfpack fell just short of advancing to the state championship game, losing 59-52 to fifth-seeded South Anchorage on Friday.

The takeaway

Jayden Miranda's selection as the Gatorade Alaska Boys Basketball Player of the Year is a testament to his outstanding performance on the court, as well as his dedication to academics and community service. His achievement continues West Valley High School's proud basketball tradition and highlights the program's ability to develop elite-level talent.