Ar'Nayshia Griffin, a junior guard for Bradford High School, has been named the UF Health Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Athlete of the Week. The Starke native is currently averaging 26.6 points per game, a performance that places her among the top scorers in all of North Central Florida.
In comparison, those scoring numbers would stand out even among the top players in women's basketball at any level nationwide. The leading scorer in the WNBA this season is averaging 26.9 points per game, while the NCAA Division I leader is averaging 26.5.
"I really love the local competition around here," Griffin said. "Each night, I know we are going to have to bring our best. It's awesome to have that camaraderie with my teammates and go out there and just compete. It's why I love the game of basketball so much."
Griffin, who moved to the area in second grade, has proven to be a key player for Bradford. She has already surpassed 1,000 career points, with a season-high 43 points in a game against Suwannee earlier this season.
"It was just one of those days where everything was working," Griffin recalled. "They were having a hard time guarding me, and I was able to break contain and take advantage of that. I had no idea I had that many points and was shocked to see 43 at the end, but we won, and that's what was important."
Despite her individual success, Griffin credits her teammates and coaching staff for the team's success. Coach Sampson Jackson's emphasis on hard work and teamwork has helped the Tornadoes maintain a strong bond.
"Coach makes us work really hard and wants us all to be a family," Griffin said. "I think that's why we all get along so well — we play for each other, and that really helps us."
Griffin is also looking to the future, aspiring to continue her basketball career at the collegiate level. However, she remains focused on her current goals with the Scarlet and Gray.
"I'd love to be at a program in a couple of years that I feel like a valued member of a family, just like it is here at Bradford," she said. "It's gotta be the right fit where I feel like I'm there to help, not like a place where I feel like I was recruited to prevent an opponent from getting me."
For now, Griffin's attention is on helping her team make a postseason run and finish the season strong and is very appreciative of getting recognized.
"I got pretty emotional when my AT Brad Morgan told me I won the award this week." she said. "Its really exciting to represent our school as we don't get many awards like this. I'm definitely honored."
Each weekly winner of the Athlete of the Week award is eligible for a $2,500 scholarship, with the UF Health High School Athlete of the Year to be named at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.