The 2015 Gatorade Athlete of the Year Awards took place in Los Angeles on July 14. This year’s winners were Candace Hill, a sprinter from Conyers, Georgia, and Kyler Murray, a quarterback from Allen, Texas. These outstanding high school athletes also got to meet some top professional athletes. Here is what the pros said about them.

 J. J. Watt

“I think it’s incredible to see where they have come already in such early careers. The things they were able to accomplish in high school are absolutely impressive. The coolest part about it is to actually meet them and say ‘hello,’ and now watching the rest of their careers and seeing where they go from here. Tonight’s a special night, but they are going to work extremely hard and do even bigger things in their future.”

Draymond Green

“Being in this position, where they’re being nominated for this prestigious award, is phenomenal. It shows the character, the work ethic, the determination they have, not only as athletes but as people. I’m thrilled to be here and to be apart of this just to watch and see. You look up at the names and see who has been honored in the past, and you see all household names. Gatorade has done a great job at picking, selecting athletes of the year, the player of the year. You know they will continue to do the same with the guys and girls I met today.”

DeMarco Murray

“Yeah, obviously great group of kids, not only on the court or on the field, but in the classroom. They’re doing community service, so its definitely good for them to do this at such a young age. It’s definitely inspirational and it’s awesome.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

“I think the future is bright, and with all the sports around the world to have the talent we have here in this room today, and also just to see how well we are moving as people. To see that character and chivalry and personality do still matter to people.”