(photo courtesy of USA Basketball)
UConn signee Saniya Chong, seen driving against future UConn teammate
Moriah Jefferson during the 2012 Under-18 trials, was named the Gatorade
Player of the Year for the state of New York on Thursday.                              

UConn signee Saniya Chong was named Gatorade's player of the year for state of New York.

Chong, a 5-9 senior guard, is the fourth all-time leading scorer in NY state history with 2,901 points. This season she is averaging 35 points, 5.3 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 4.7 steals per game to go with 102 3-pointers. She had 17 30-point games this season, giving her a staggering 50 in 94 career high school games.

Chong leads her Ossining High team against Sachem East in the New York Class AA semifinals on Friday at 6:15 p.m. at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy.

Also, UConn Class of 2014 commit Courtney Ekmark was Arizona's Gatorade Player  after averaging 19.6 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals per game while leading her St. Mary's team to their third straight Arizona Division I title.UConn's Class of 2015 recruiting target Napheesa Collier earned the award for the state of Missouri. Connecticut's winner was RHAM junior guard Sarah Veilleux, who averaged 28.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.9 steals per game.

The winners are eligible for the Gatorade National Player of the Year award.