Francis Bonsu ’25 Named Gatorade New York Boys Soccer Player of the Year
Anyone who has watched the Millbrook School boys varsity soccer team in the last three years knows that Francis Bonsu ’25 was one of the best high school players in the country. So, when the Gatorade Player of the Year Awards were announced last week, it was no surprise that the Mustangs’ star forward/midfielder was named the 2024–25 Gatorade New York Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
Francis earned the award by netting 27 goals in 17 games during his VIth form season, receiving All NEPSAC honors and being named to the 2024 High School All-American team. In just three years as a Mustang, he amassed a whopping 101 goals.
Listed at No. 7 in the 2025 PrepSoccer.com recruit rankings, Francis caught the eye of University of California Los Angeles recruiters, signing to play with soccer for the Bruins this fall. He’ll look to accomplish great things with a team fielding the top-ranked recruiting class in the nation.
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A native of Ghana, Francis came to Millbrook from the Right to Dream Academy, following in the footsteps of former Mustang soccer standouts like Ousseni Bouda ’19 and Edward Opoku ’15. During his time at Millbrook, Francis was known for his talent both in the classroom and on the pitch. His Vth form coach, Jonathan Howe, noted, “Francis has not only brought a tremendous skill set to boys varsity soccer, but he’s also demonstrated an incredible work ethic to match. Since the first practice of the season, Francis has provided a model of tenacity that continuously inspires others.”
Even opposing coaches marveled at Francis’ talent. Hotchkiss School Varsity Boys Soccer Head Coach Mario Williams offered high praise for the talented footballer, per a Gatorade Player of the Year press release:
“With a flick of the ball or a viciously curling shot off his boot, Francis consistently created moments of magic on the field, neutralizing what opposing teams had prepared for him through his rare combination of technical skill, pace and athleticism. He was mercurial throughout the year, delivering flashes of brilliance that drew admiration from everyone in attendance and reliably producing something special out of nothing.”Here's a video of one of Francis' highlight-reel goals for the Mustangs—including his signature backflip celebration:
Francis is the second Mustang to win Gatorade New York Boys Soccer Player of the Year, joining Bouda, who won the award twice—including a Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award in 2017–2018.
Here’s how you can follow Francis’ college career:
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