[FOUR THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT …] Emmanuel Boateng, the 2011-12 Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year, grew upin Ghana in a house with no electricity and no running water, but he made the most of the opportunity given to him in 2009 to study abroad. He finished high school in three years and will play for UCSanta Barbara in the fall. For four things to know about Boateng …

DREAM COME TRUE. Boateng moved from his native Ghana, where he lived in a housewith no electricity and no running water, to California to attend Cate School in Carpinteria in 2009 as part of the program conducted by the Right to Dream Academy that provides study abroadopportunities. The 5-foot-6 Boateng led the Rams to a 20-2-1 record and the CIF-Southern Section Division VII tournament championship in 2012. Boateng scored 32 goals, added 19 assists and was arepeat selection as the Southern Section Division VII Player of the Year.

EARLY FINISHER. Officially listed as a junior, Boateng maintained a 3.75 GPAin the classroom and has earned enough credits to attend UC Santa Barbara this fall. He concluded his prep soccer career with 79 goals and 49 assists. Boateng is only the underclassman to the GatoradePlayer of the Year award in its 27-year history, joining 2010-11 winner and current Midlothian (Va.) Cosby senior Luis Rendon.

HIGH SOCCER IQ. “In the 14 years I’ve been coaching in Southern California, I haven’t seen anybody close to as good as Ema,” said Strikers FC coach Vishtasp Farhadi. “In terms of maturity and soccer IQ, I haven’t seen anything like him. He’s a very special player. He’s very creative and has amazing vision.”

MILK CUP MVP. Boateng became the first American to earn MVP honors in the 30-year history of the Milk Cup when he led the South Coast Strikers to fourth place in the2011 Premier Section at the tournament in Northern Ireland.

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  1. I’ve watched the Hotchkiss recruits from the same Academy, and they are incredible. Although, the Kent School has 1 kid who is absolutely the best high school player I’ve ever seen…and I’ve seen thousands. I was told by a Kent parent that this kid is from the same Academy, and was rated “number 1” in his peer group. About the same height as Boateng, 5’6″ish.These are the best junior players from a continent; it’s expected they’ll be better than the typical elite high school player.

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