THE LIST: Centerville's Gabe Cupps named Mr. Basketball

It is a simple sentence, but it explains so much about Centerville junior point guard Gabe Cupps. "Gratefulness leads to grittiness," Cupps said. It is that grittiness that doesn't show up in the box score that separates Cupps from most players. Taking charges, diving for 50-50 balls on the floor or throwing his body out of bounds to save a ball don't show with points (14.2 per game), assists (6.8) or rebounds (2.5), but they are part of the chemistry that makes Cupps tick. "I saw it in my parents and grandparents growing up," said Cupps, who has verbally committed to Indiana. "They were never given anything." That work ethic culminated Wednesday when Cupps was named the 35th winner of the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association Mr. Basketball becoming the first Greater Western Ohio Conference player to earn the honor. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary's Sincere Harris was runner-up in a field that included Sean Jones of Gahanna-Lincoln, Elmore James IV of Lyndhurst Brush, T.C. Molk of Dover and Sean Craig of Sylvania Northview. Cupps joins a club that includes current NBA players Luke Kennard (a two-time winner) and LeBron James (a three-time winner) and admits the names in the group is a little weighty compared to him. "It is super cool," Cupps said. "I never thought about winning Mr. Basketball and these guys are at a super high level." ----- Ohio Mr. Basketball winners 2022 – Gabe Cupps, Centerville 2021 – Malaki Branham, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 2020 – VonCameron Davis, Columbus Walnut Ridge 2019 – Samari Curtis, Xenia 2018 - Dane Goodwin, Upper Arlington 2017 - Kaleb Wesson, Westerville South 2016 - Xavier Simpson, Lima Senior 2015 - Luke Kennard, Franklin High School 2014 - Luke Kennard, Franklin High School 2013 - Marc Loving, Toledo St. John's Jesuit 2012 - Justin Fritts, Mentor 2011 - Trey Burke, Columbus Northland 2010 - Jared Sullinger, Columbus Northland 2009 - Jared Sullinger, Columbus Northland 2008 - William Buford, Toledo Libbey 2007 - Jon Diebler, Upper Sandusky 2006 - O.J. Mayo, North College Hill 2005 - O.J. Mayo, North College Hill 2004 - Jamar Butler, Lima Shawnee 2003 - LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 2002 - LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 2001 - LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 2000 - (tie) Tony Stockman, Medina; Chester Mason, Cleveland South 1999 - Isaac Jefferson, Columbus West 1998 - William "Sonny" Johnson, Garfield Heights 1997 - Kenny Gregory, Independence 1996 - Jason Collier, Springfield Catholic 1995 - Damon Stringer, Cleveland Heights 1994 - Aaron Hutchins, Lima Central Catholic 1993 - Geno Ford, Cambridge 1992 - Greg Simpson, Lima Senior 1991 - Greg Simpson, Lima Senior 1990 - Bob Patton Jr., Youngstown Liberty 1989 - Jimmy Jackson, Toledo Macomber 1988 - Jimmy Jackson, Toledo Macomber