Salpointe's Bijan Robinson (5) smiles after making a one-handed sideline catch against Chandler's defense during their Open Division semifinal game at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Saturday, Nov 23, 2019. Darryl Webb/Special for the Arizona Daily Star

Gatorade crowned Salpointe Catholic running back Bijan Robinson the best player in Arizona with its player of the year award Friday morning. The award recognizes athletic excellence, academic achievement and character. 

The Texas-bound Robinson rushed for 2,235 yards and 38 touchdowns this season, carries a B-average, is a leader at his church and volunteered to help youth football players in Tucson and the homeless. 

The 2018 Ed Doherty Award winner finished his high school career setting the all-time big-school rushing record with 7,036 yards and a state record 114 touchdowns. This season, Robinson averaged 203.2 yards per game. 

Robinson will go down as arguably the greatest running back Arizona has ever produced and for the first time in 14 years, Gatorade named a Tucson player the best in the state. 

Robinson joined six other Tucsonans to win the Gatorade Player of the Year award.

Here's a look at the other six: 


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Contact sports content producer Justin Spears at 573-4312 or jspears@tucson.com. On Twitter @justinesports