Levi Randolph, who will play at the University of Alabama next season, was surprised Tuesday with a celebration to commemorate his Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year award.

Bob Jones coaches, teammates, administrators and family members were on hand Tuesday, as the group surprised boys’ basketball player Levi Randolph with a ceremony commemorating his Gatorade Player of the Year honor.

Randolph was named the state’s Player of the Year by Gatorade, and will now be eligible to win the national Gatorade Player of the Year award, which will be announced at the end of the school year.

The award recognizes athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character both on and off the court.

The 6-foot-5, 185-pound senior guard averaged 19.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game this past season, leading the Patriots (26-10) to the Class 6A regional finals. Randolph was named the Class 6A Player of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association, shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 71.0 percent from the free-throw line.

He produced 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists per contest as a junior, leading Bob Jones High to the 2010 Class 6A state championship and capturing state tournament Most Valuable Player honors.

Randolph has maintained a 3.78 GPA in the classroom, in addition to donating his time as a youth basketball instructor and volunteering locally on behalf of the Salvation Army and as part of a youth literacy-outreach program.

“There’s not but one player of the year in Alabama, and that’s you,” said Bob Jones Principal Robby Parker. “We’re very proud of you.”

Assistant Principal and Athletic Director John Wilson, along with head basketball coach Danny Petty, organized the event, and Wilson said the honor will be something Randolph can cherish for life.

“This is a very prestigious award,” Wilson said.

As part of the ceremony, Randolph was presented with a trophy and a banner recognizing his achievement.

Parker said the banner will be hung in the gym for future generations to see.

“When you’re an old man and you bring your kids back here, you can show it to them and let them know what you accomplished,” Parker said. “It will be here forever.”

Randolph also donated his award to the school, as Gatorade also sent him a personal one.

The award will be displayed in the trophy case in the school lobby.

“There’s a lot of great players out there,” Randolph said. “It’s just a big honor to get this award. But without my team, I wouldn’t have been able to win this award.”