Why we picked him

The 6-9 Aminu did it all for the Blue Devils, finishing the season averaging 22.5 and 11.2 rebounds per game. The McDonald's All-American and Wake Forest signee could've averaged 30 points a game, but he selflessly did what was asked and was rewarded with another Class AAAAA state title. Aminu stands alone among the Blue Devils. He will be the only player with three rings.

Star quality

The bigger the moment, the better Aminu played. He dropped 35 points and 17 rebounds against Oak Hill. He scored 29 points in a nationally- televised game on ESPN2, outplaying the reputed No. 1 player in the country. He finished his career with a dominant all-around performance of 17 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks to lead Norcross to its third straight title. Coach Eddie Martin said those games let him know that Aminu could carry the team on his back.

What he says

Aminu's step-back 3-pointer in the final minutes will be remembered as the shot that lifted Norcross over Wheeler and led to the historic three-peat, which hadn't been done in 68 years.

"During the time of the play, I didn't think about how big that basket was," he said. "Now I'm glad I took it and everything happened like it did."

—- On never getting rattled: Aminu quickly responded with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

On adoring fans, young and old:

"At first, I thought it was weird because I'm only 17 years old. It's kind of weird, a grown man, he's like double my age and he wants to shake my hand. I feel like it's an honor, like I should be inviting my hand out first. It's an honor I can touch people like I do. When I talk to kids and they say, 'you're my favorite player," I think about them reading the paper and if Al-Farouq does something bad, they'll say, 'man, that was my favorite player.' So I try to keep my nose extra clean."

What his coach says

So many of Aminu's breakaway dunks and alley-oops were worthy of SportsCenter. Martin sometimes had a hard time containing his reaction. "During the game, I'm trying to stay focused and in tune, but a couple of times, he made moves and got to the rim and threw it down," the coach said. "I just turned and looked at the staff. Even though I didn't say, 'Wow,' they could tell from looking at me that's what I was thinking.

"He's just a humble human being, unlike a lot of people you see, especially role models in the NBA. He doesn't expect attention and really doesn't want attention," he said.

"He's just such a humble kid off the court, well-liked by everybody, by the whole student body.

Who else we considered

Wesleyan's Howard Thompkins. The big man plays more of a power game than Aminu but also can shoot it from the perimeter. He's a dominant player in the middle.

FIRST TEAM

Howard Thompkins, 6-9 center, Wesleyan: Returned after a year at Oak Hill to help lead Wesleyan to the Class AA title. Averaged 28 points and 10 rebounds. Signed with Georgia.

Wesley Witherspoon, 6-8 forward, Berkmar: One of the best all-around players in the county averaged 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Smooth, athletic scorer who makes it look easy. College: undecided.

Tanner Smith, 6-5 guard, Wesleyan: Another versatile player whose value can't be measured in numbers. Never stops hustling or sacrificing his body. Can play any position. The Clemson signee averaged 11 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

Ebuka Anyaorah, 6-4, guard, North Gwinnett: Can score with the best of them. The 6-4 guard can stick the jumper or drive to the basket. Averaged 26 points and eight rebounds. Committed to Colorado.

SECOND TEAM

Yaw Gyawu, 6-6 forward, Parkview: Refined his game to become one of the best. Great energy and speed to beat big men down the court. Knows how to finish. Averaged 23 points and eight rebounds. Headed to Colgate.

Demarion Gordon, 6-0 guard, Berkmar: Amazing ballhandler who has the ability to finish in traffic. After averaging 16 points and five rebounds, the junior will carry more of the load next season.

Nate Hamilton, 6-1 guard, Brookwood: Leave him open at your own peril. One of the deadliest shooters around and a tireless worker, a gym rat. Averaged 19 points a game. Taking his game to Georgia College in Milledgeville.

Teondre Williams, 6-4 guard, Meadowcreek: A slasher who also has deep range and loves to play above the rim. Averaged 19 points and seven rebounds. Signed with Oregon.

Taariq Muhammad, 6-1 guard, Norcross: Directed the show for the Blue Devils. The junior averaged more than eight assists to lead the county and scored when he had to.

COACHES OF THE YEAR

Eddie Martin, Norcross: This award is going to bear his name if this keeps up. After leading the Blue Devils to a record of 29-2 and a AAAAA title, Martin wins the award for the third consecutive year. Martin might have had less talent than he did last year, but he did more with less.

Skip Matherly, Wesleyan: He, too, did a masterful job in leading his team to a Class AA title. The Wolves beat AAAA and AAAAA schools in the regular season, overcame injuries to their two best players and crushed playoff opponents, winning by an average of 14 points, to claim their first state championship.