Huge congratulations to Kaiyah Benally of Sandia High School on being named the 2025–2026 Gatorade New Mexico Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
This is one of the highest honors in high school sports, recognizing excellence on the court and dedication in the classroom and commitment to community.
Kaiyah had an incredible season leading her team to a 25–3 record while averaging 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.5 steals, and 5.7 assists per game. She also maintains an impressive 3.93 GPA, showing that she is just as dedicated in the classroom as she is on the court.
I was honored to write a letter of recommendation for Kaiyah as part of this process. It is always inspiring to see young Navajo athletes achieving at the highest level.
Congratulations Kaiyah! Your hard work and leadership are opening doors for the next generation of athletes. We are all proud of you and excited to see what the future holds. Ahéhee’
