BRADENTON, Fla. - Growing up on basketball courts and baseball diamonds, Aidan Williams learned the importance of stats.

Whether it's scoring averages or batting averages, statistics tell a lot about an athlete. So do rankings. Aidan was able to secure a No. 1 ranking - as Bradenton Christian’s top graduating senior.

“It was never a goal. It just came with the hard work,” Williams said.

Aidan’s hard work in and out of the classroom did more than earn him valedictorian bragging rights. This dual-sport senior garnered another No. 1 ranking - the No. 1 Scholar Athlete in the sunshine state. Williams was recently crowned the Florida Dairy Farmer’s Male Scholar Athlete of the Year.

“I can’t take the full credit,” he said. “My teachers and coaches pushed me. They’re the biggest mentors and my parents just really pushed me to do well on the court and off the court and it just made me who I am today.”

An award like that like brings a lot of recognition and validation for the numerous hours of practice and hours of studying.

“It does validate it, but I can’t in any way take all the credit,” Williams said. “It’s just a super humbling experience.”

Aidan doesn’t do it for the recognition. He does it for the love of sports and a love of learning.

“I’m definitely competitive person, but I definitely think it comes out more on the court, especially in basketball, one-on-one, it gets pretty heated in practice but it’s all in fun,” he said.

Aidan’s competitive nature can be traced to birth, which he shared with his twin brother. A twin who technically came in first.

“Two minutes before me,” Williams said. “He rubs it in my face all the time. But it is what it is.

Family means everything to Aidan, and that family includes a younger brother who joined the Williams clan through a foster care program where Aidan volunteers his time.

“It’s super humbling to see what these kids go through,” Williams said.  “It just gives a good perspective on life.”

As a member of the Class of 2020, Aidan and his fellow seniors got a good perspective on adversity thanks to the Coronavirus. With his newfound perspective, Aidan has some advice for his underclassmen.

“Just take it one season at a time,” he said. “And don’t take anything for granted and just cherish these memories because you’ll never really have anything like it again.”