Girls Basketball: Riverdale Ridge’s Brihanna Crittendon Named Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year
Photo: Derek Regensburger
CHICAGO (March 13, 2026) — In its 41st year celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Brihanna Crittendon of Riverdale Ridge High School is the 2025-26 Gatorade Colorado Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their excellence in sport, academics and community. The award recognizes Crittendon as
At the time of her selection, the 6-foot-3 senior small forward had led the Ravens to a 22-4 record this season and the quarterfinals in the 6A state tournament. Crittendon averaged 28.3 points and 6.7 rebounds through 26 games, including 36 point effort in a 86-25 win over Brighton High School. A three-time Rocky Mountain League Player of the Year and a McDonald’s All-American selection, Crittendon is ranked as the nation’s No. 8 recruit in the Class of 2026 by ESPN. She concluded her prep school career with 2,983 points, 891 rebounds, 270 assists, and 323 steals, making her the leading scorer in state history.
She has volunteered extensively at local elementary and middle schools in addition to donating her time to the Denver Dream Center, a non-profit organization that offers support for underserved people at risk. Also a member of River Ridge’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter, she has also served as an instructor at youth basketball camps. “Brihanna elevates her team every time she steps on the floor,” remarked Steve Fendry, head coach of Westminster High School. “Her team-first mentality is exceptional, but it’s her versatility that truly sets her apart. As a three-level scorer who impacts the game at both ends of the floor, she possesses a rare skill set matched only by the visible joy she brings to the game.”
Crittendon has maintained a weighted 4.11 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play basketball at the University of Texas this fall.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one state winner from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., in 12 different sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track & field. In total, 610 high school athletes are honored each year. From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the winners in each sport.
As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $6.4 million in grants to winners across more than 2,200 organizations.
To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student-athletes, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com
