Britt, Tuttle in the mix for 2025 Youth Athlete of the Year

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Star NFL quarterback Russell Wilson and his company 3Brand are partnering with Sports Illustrated, The V Foundation and the Why Not You Foundation to give one lucky youth athlete the championship experience, which includes a $25,000 prize plus more, and a pair of local hoopers are in the field of competitors.

Martell Tuttle, a junior basketball player at Greenwood High School, is currently sitting in first place for his voting group.

Tuttle averaged 3.9 points and 2.5 rebounds for the Gators last season and has been putting in work nearly every day, both on the court to grow his game and off the court, working a job to support his self and his family.

Tuttle shared his excitement to get back onto the floor for the 2025-26 season as soon as possible, where you’ll find these strengths from him.

“ One thing you’re always going to get from me is I’m always just going to give effort,” Tuttle said. “I’m a defensive guy. I really do pride myself on defense, and there’s been a couple times I’ve been, you know, lazy and I really just get after myself because that’s not the player I am. So, on defense I’m always going to be there and, you know, on offense, you just gotta find out.”

Also in the running for ‘Youth Athlete of the Year’ is 12-year-old Tay’Lar Britt, who plays for Bowling Green Junior High School and US Elite Basketball.

Britt is currently sitting in seventh place for his voting group, which includes 58 other athletes from across the country.

Being recognized makes Britt feel grateful for his mom, who has supported him since picking up a basketball.

“ When I grew up, she helped me get stuff done and have the shoes, clothes, and everything. She bought everything for me, and I’m thankful for my mom,” Britt said.

His US Elite coach also spoke highly of Britt’s work ethic and leadership.

“I’ve watched him totally embody the true student athlete experience,” US Elite Basketball head coach (C/O 2031) Paul Isenberg said. “He does it in the classroom, he does it with his peers, he does it as a leader, and then when he shows up on a court, he gets better every single day.”

Both Britt and Tuttle are looking for daily votes to remain in the competition for their respective groups, with cuts happening weekly.

Here’s a look at the voting schedule:

• Top 20 (begins July 28th and ends August 7th) – Public voting will help reduce each group to the top twenty (20) Competitors.
• Top 15 (begins August 7th and ends August 14th) – Public voting will help reduce each group to the top fifteen (15) Competitors.
• Top 10 (begins August 14th and ends August 21st) – Public voting will help reduce each group to the top ten (10) Competitors.
• Top 5 (begins August 21st and ends August 28th) – Public voting will help reduce each group to the top five (5) Competitors.
• Group Finals (begin August 28th and end September 4th) – Public voting will help reduce total Competitors to one (1) preliminary winner in each Group Finals group who will then advance to the Quarterfinals.
• Wildcard Round (begins September 5th and ends September 7th) – Those Competitors who took second (2nd) place in their respective Group Finals group will compete in a shortened round for a chance to advance to the Quarterfinals. Votes will be reset, and public voting will determine the top one (1) Competitor from each group who will then advance to the Quarterfinals.
• Quarterfinals (begin September 8th and end September 18th) – The top Competitors from each Group Finals/Wildcard Round group will be divided into Quarterfinals groups. Votes will be reset, and public voting will determine the top one (1) Quarterfinalist from each group who will then advance to the Semifinals.
• Semifinals (begin September 19th and end September 25th) – The top Competitors from each Quarterfinals group will be divided into Semifinals groups. Votes will be reset, and public voting will determine the top one (1) Semifinalist from each group who will then advance to the Finals.
• Finals (begin September 26th and end October 2nd) – Votes will be reset, and public voting will determine which Finalist will be the winner of the 2025 Youth Athlete of the Year Competition (the “Grand Prize Winner”). Grand Prize Winner will be announced on or before October 17th, 2025.

If you’re interested in supporting Britt, you can vote once per day at this link.*

If you’re interested in supporting Tuttle, you can vote once per day at this link.*

*To verify your vote, you must have an active Facebook account.