Kentucky signee Epps named state's top player

University of Kentucky women's basketball signee Makayla Epps was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Kentucky on Thursday.

Epps has led Marion County to a 36-0 record and frontrunner status in the Sweet Sixteen, which is being played this week in Bowling Green. The 5-foot-10 point guard is averaging 22.8 points, 4.8 assists, 4.3 steals and 4.2 rebounds.

She is one of two McDonald's All-Americans from Kentucky, joining Owensboro Catholic senior Becca Greenwell, who will play for Duke next season.

The Gatorade Player of the Year award "recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the court."

According to UK, Epps has maintained a B average in the classroom. She has volunteered locally with American Red Cross blood donation drives, a literacy-outreach program and as a peer tutor.

Epps is one of three signees in Kentucky's class of 2013, which also includes five-star guard Linnae Harper of Chicago and four-star forward Kyvin Goodin-Rogers, who also plays for Marion County.

This story was originally published March 14, 2013 at 2:16 PM with the headline "Kentucky signee Epps named state's top player."