Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in prep basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2023-24 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Koa Peat of
Perry (Gilbert) is the 2023-24 Arizona MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 6-foot-8 junior forward led the Pumas to a 25-6 record and the Open Division state championship – the program's third in a row.
For the season, Peat averaged 20.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 blocks per game. He led the way with 21 points, 13 rebounds and four assists to help Perry overcome a 17-point deficit in the state championship game to knock off Millennium (Goodyear) 71-67.
Koa Peat celebrates after leading Perry to its third consecutive state title. (Photo: Mark Jones)
Peat was also the 2022-23 Arizona MaxPreps Player of the Year after putting up 19.7 points an 9.4 rebounds per game to help Perry go 30-1. The Pumas are 80-14 in his three seasons with the program.
Regarded as the No. 5 prospect in the Class of 2025 according to
247Sports, Perry holds 30 offers including Arizona, Baylor, Duke, Houston, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, Texas and UCLA among others.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released April 10. Past selections include 2024 NBA All-Stars Bam Adebayo (2016), Paolo Banchero (2020), Scottie Barnes (2020), Devin Booker (2014), Jaylen Brown (2015), Jalen Brunson (2015), Anthony Davis (2011), Kevin Durant (2006), Anthony Edwards (2019), Tyrese Maxey (2019), Julius Randle (2013), Jayson Tatum (2016), Karl-Anthony Towns (2014) and Trae Young (2017).
Past Arizona MaxPreps Players of the Year2019-20 – DaRon Holmes, Millennium (Goodyear)
2020-21 – TyTy Washington, AZ Compass Prep (Chandler)
2021-22 – Nate Calmese, Mesquite (Gilbert)
2022-23 – Koa Peat, Perry (Gilbert)
