From Creve Coeur To Hollywood

Being chosen the 2011 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the year meant as much to Brad Beal as winning the state championship his sophomore season at in .

So when he was invited to Hollywood, CA, as one of six male
finalists for the , the
University of Florida-bound guard was on cloud nine.

The fact that recent Baltimore Orioles draft pick Dylan Bundy walked away with the trophy Tuesday night didn't change his perspective.

"This is an honor and a blessing. I'm just soaking it all in," Beal
said after Tuesday night's ninth annual awards dinner at the
Renaissance Hotel, not far from the Hollywood Walk of Fame. "It's a
huge thrill, like winning a national championship."

Beal sat between former WNBA star Lisa Leslie and current NBA star
Kevin Love, who presented the awards along with Detroit Lions
quarterback Matthew Stafford and 2004 Olympic softball gold medalist
Jessica Mendoza.

"Lisa gave me great advice," Beal said. "Always work hard, put God
first and write down my goals."

NBA Talk

Amid talk that Beal could be a lottery pick next year if there is a
draft, Love encouraged the Parade Magazine First-Team All American to work as hard as he can to improve his game.

"It's a touchy subject, but I'd like to think the (NBA) season will
start on time," said Love, the 2007 Gatorade High School Athlete of
the Year. "Regardless, Brad just needs to concentrate on what is
within his control, and that's getting better. The rest will take care
of itself."

Beal insisted that his focus right now is on college, where he hopes
to make an immediate impact for the Gators.

"I'm not even worried about (the NBA)," Beal said. "Whenever the
opportunity comes, it comes. I'm just excited to be at Florida playing
for Billy Donovan. I chose to go there because he's a great coach, and
I like that up-tempo, fast-paced style of play."

Transition

Beal has been in Gainesville for about a month, and he is enjoying the
transition from high school to the NCAA level.

"It's challenging but fun," Beal said. "The game is much quicker and
faster, players are bigger and stronger, but I'm adjusting to it."

As a senior, Beal averaged 32.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and
2.7 steals and led the Red Devils to the quarterfinals of the state
tournament.

Beal's parents, Bobby and Bea, also made the trip from St. Louis to
attend Tuesday night's awards dinner.

"We're very proud of him, and it's nice to see that all the hard work
he's put in has paid off," said Bobby, a retired Chrysler assembly
line worker. "We're Christian, humble people. I'm not starstruck, but
it's great being here. Florida showed interest in Bradley right away,
and I think he'll fit well into that system."

Beal's brothers all play football. Brandon, 25, was a tight end at
Northern Illinois University and now plays Winter League football for
the Chicago Slaughter. Bruce, 23, was an offensive tackle at Alabama
State University and 16-year-old twins Byron and Bryon are offensive/defensive tackles at Chaminade.

"Bradley played football too, but ultimately he chose basketball,"
Bobby Beal said. "It's worked out pretty well for him."

ESPN sportscaster and anchor Stuart Scott hosted Tuesday's event.

The other male finalists were football player Justin Worley of
Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, SC, cross country runner Lukas
Verzbicas of Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, IL, soccer player Luis Rendon of Cosby High School in Midlothian, VA, decathlete Gunnar Nixon of Santa Fe High School in Edmond, OK and baseball player Dylan Bundy of Owasso High School in Owasso, OK. 

Beal is the first basketball player from Missouri to win the national
Gatorade honor. Former standout Matt McKeon won Gatorade
honors as the nation's best soccer player in 1992.

All of the finalists will walk the red carpet Wednesday night during the annual ESPYs award telecast on ESPN.