<!--REPLACE WITH STORY TITLE HEADLINE--> :: Men's Basketball
Peyton Siva
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Seattle, Wash.
High School: Franklin
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 175
Position: G
Experience: HS
Averaged 18.1 points, 5.3 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.3 steals as a senior in leading Franklin High School to a 28-1 record and the Class 3A state championship. It was Siva's second state title in four years, also winning the Class 4A title with Franklin in 2006 as a freshman.
A McDonald's High School All-America selection, the 19th U of L player to achieve that honor (last: Samardo Samuels). He had six points and nine assists to help the East team to a 113-110 victory in the April 1 McDonald's All-America game.
Named Mr. Basketball in the state of Washington, the Washington state high school player of the year by the Associated Press and the Seattle Times, the Class 3A state tournament MVP and the Metro League MVP. He was a third team Parade All-America selection.
Scored 30 or more points on four occasions, including a season-high 35 points in the Sea-King District Championship game against No. 2 Bellevue.
Led the Metro League in assists. He tied a state tournament record with 13 assists against Snohomish.
Averaged 21.1 points, 6.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 3.5 steals as a junior in helping Franklin High School to a 24-3 record and a fifth-place finish in the Washington state Class 4A tournament. He scored a season-best 45 against Ranier Beach in the second game of his junior year.
A three-year captain for Franklin, Siva ranked No. 25 nationally in the ESPN 100, 38th by Scout.com, 39th by Rivals.com, and No. 51 nationally by USA Today.
Averaged 13.2 points as a freshman in helping Franklin win the state 4A championship. He averaged 18.7 points as a sophomore.
MVP of the Black Squad in the Wazoo Sports Derby Festival Classic All-Star game played in Freedom Hall when he totalled 15 points, 11 assists and three steals.
Dunked for the first time in the 7th grade.
Also considered Washington, Arizona, Kentucky and Miami (Fla.).
Personal:
Born Oct. 24, 1990 ... Son of Yvette Gaston and Peyton Siva ... Has an older brother (Michael Siva) and sister (Leilanna Barrientes) ... Major is undecided.
Personal goal at U of L is to graduate.
Enjoys bowling, watching movies, the theatre and performing arts in his spare time.
Best basketball advice given to him was "always have heart."
Few people know that he watches cartoons all of the time.
Most proud of "my father for getting his life straight and my mother for never giving up."
His parents had the greatest influence on his athletic career.
Feels Dwayne Johnson would be the best actor to play him in a movie.
When he played basketball as a kid, he pretended he was Allen Iverson.
Wanted to wear No. 3 because of his Christian faith: Trinity means three.
If you walked into his dorm room, the first thing you would notice is "I have a lot of posters and two bibles."
What impresses him the most about Coach Pitino: he doesn't sugar coat anything and is a great teacher.
Would most like to meet Barack Obama, Alicia Keys.
Favorites:
Basketball Player: Aaron Brooks, Jason Terry
NBA Team: Houston Rockets
Athlete, Other than a basketball player: Troy Polamalu
University of Louisville Belknap Campus
Student Activities Center - Third Floor
Corner of Floyd Street and Brandeis Street
or
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
Gate 2 (Floyd Street side)
