The best female prep basketball players in the nation are led by Sabrina Ionescu; Coach of the Year comes from successful Las Vegas program.
Video: All-American Girls Basketball TeamEach year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized the top high school girls basketball players in America. Past honorees include UConn stalwarts Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Tina Charles and Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, not to mention other big names like Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins.
Selections are based on team success, individual
production and local, regional and state honors from the recently
completed season. Potential at the college and professional level is not
a primary consideration. Players in post-graduate and non-scholastic
programs are not eligible for inclusion.
Highlighted by Player of the Year selection Sabrina Ionescu of Miramonte (Orinda, Calif.), MaxPreps presents the 2015-16 All-American Team.
Coach of the Year: Karen Weitz, Centennial (Las Vegas)You could say Weitz has done pretty well at Centennial. She was the school's first coach when it opened in 1999, and since then she's won eight Nevada state titles (the most by any coach), and been Nevada Coach of the Year four times. Her overall coaching record is 584-75, a .887 winning percentage, and with only three seniors graduating, there's little reason to expect a dropoff in 2016-17.
This season's Centennial team might have been her best, finishing with a 31-1 record and landing at No. 7 in the final MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Girls Basketball Rankings presented by the Army National Guard. Of course, her 2001-02 team went 34-0 and won its first state title, but that team was not nationally ranked and didn't test itself against the kind of competition Centennial faced this year.
Weitz is known as a strict disciplinarian and does not project a warm and fuzzy image from the bench, but graduates return each year to talk to the high school roster about the lessons they've learned, and they credit Weitz for preparing them for college.
And barring the unexpected, next year they can return to celebrate her 600th win.
Graphic by SocialRecluse Graphx
MAXPREPS NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Sabrina Ionescu, Miramonte (Orinda, Calif.)
6-0 | Senior | Guard | UndecidedWhen
Ionescu was a freshman, she was pretty good. When she was a
sophomore, she was better. When she was a junior, she was better still.
As a senior, she was Player of the Year and averaged 28.5 points, 8.3
rebounds, 9.7 assists and 5.5 steals per game for 32-1 Miramonte --
which is a tribute not only to her talent, but her competitive fire and
drive to improve.
Kaila Charles, Riverdale Baptist (Upper Marlboro, Md.)
6-1 | Senior | Guard | Maryland
Charles was the focal point for one of the best teams in the nation, and she excelled while playing against many of the best teams in the nation. The Maryland signee was especially tough close to the basket, where her combination of height, quickness and skill made her almost impossible to control.
Crystal Dangerfield, Blackman (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
5-7 | Senior | Guard | UConnSome see the second coming of Moriah Jefferson in Dangerfield, who led one of the top teams in the country for the past three seasons. She is a superb floor leader, an excellent ballhandler, an outstanding scorer (23.9 points per game this year) and could well move into Jefferson's starting spot for UConn next year.
Ciera Johnson, Duncanville (Texas)
6-4 | Senior | Post | LouisvilleThe top player on the No. 1 team in the nation, Johnson was a prototypical low post player who dominated the paint at both ends of the floor. With her as the focus, Duncanville rolled to a perfect 39-0 record and won its seven playoff games by an average margin of 29.6 points.
Jackie Young, Princeton (Ind.)
5-11 | Senior | Guard | Notre Dame In a 34-33 playoff loss, Young scored 26 of her team's points. But that's no surprise, as she finished her career with 3,268 points, the all-time record for the state of Indiana, boys or girls. She averaged 34.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.8 steals for a team that went 57-2 in the last two seasons.
SECOND TEAM
Joyner Holmes, Cedar Hill
Photo by David Megginson
6-3 | Senior | Forward | Texas
Texas
was loaded with tall talent in 2016, and Holmes is a worthy companion
to Johnson and Cox on this list. Holmes, like Cox, didn't have quite the
supporting cast Johnson did, but, like Cox, gave Duncanville a run in a
10-point loss in February.
Erin Boley, Elizabethtown (Ky.)
6-2 | Senior | Forward-Center | Notre DameThe fact that Boley averaged 24.6 points and 10.3 rebounds a game is pretty impressive, but at 6-2, it's unusual for a girl to shoot 47 percent from 3-point distance and have a 2.3 assist/turnover ratio. But those are some of the reasons she's going to Notre Dame.
Lauren Cox, Flower Mound (Texas)
6-4 | Senior | Center | BaylorCox has been considered one of the top players in her class since she was a freshman, and this year's performance at Flower Mound did nothing to dim the luster. She averaged 21.8 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.4 blocks a game, and her team gave No. 1 Duncanville its best challenge in the Texas postseason, losing by only nine.
Destiny Slocum, Mountain View (Meridian, Idaho)
5-7 | Senior | Guard | Maryland
Some see Slocum and see the WNBA's Shoni Schimmel, because Slocum has the same kind of charismatic game: Long-range 3-pointers, plenty of points (25.1 per game) and great court vision (2.7 assist/turnover ratio). She also led Mountain View to a state title.
Megan Walker, Monacan (Richmond, Va.)
6-1 | Junior | Guard | UndecidedWalker led Monacan to a 29-1 record and a Virginia 4A state championship, thanks in great part to her 21.2 ppg. She is an elite wing who is the only non-senior on the two top teams -- which makes her the recruiting prize of the summer.
THIRD TEAM
Aquira DeCosta, St. Mary's
File photo by Ralph Thompson
6-2 | Sophomore | Forward-Center | UndecidedDeCosta
is the only sophomore to earn MaxPreps All-American Team honors, and
that's despite averaging "just" 15.8 ppg for the No. 2 team in the
nation. She anchored the paint for both the St. Mary's offense and
defense, and was the leading scorer and rebounder for a team that was
No. 1 until the last weeks of the season.
Natalie Chou, Plano West (Texas)
6-1 | Senior | Guard-Forward | BaylorPlano West won 30 games, and Chou's 22.8 ppg (helped along by 43 percent shooting from beyond the 3-point arc) were a big reason why. As with the other top Texans on this list, Chou's team gave Duncanville a battle, but lost by a respectable 15 in the 6A playoffs.
Tyasha Harris, Heritage Christian (Indianapolis)
5-10 | Senior | Guard | Undecided
If you want to define success by winning, Harris led Heritage Christian to three straight state titles. If you like stats, she averaged 23.5 points, 4.5 steals and 3.8 assists while setting a school scoring record with 2,004 points. Either way, some Power 5 coach will be happy when Harris finally makes her college choice.
Kiara Lewis, Whitney Young (Chicago)
5-8 | Senior | Guard | Ohio StateWhitney Young went 27-6 and reached the 4A semifinals in great part thanks to Lewis, who averaged 24.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.2 steals each game. She was also the Gatorade pick as the Illinois Player of the Year.
Evina Westbrook, South Salem (Ore.)
6-0 | Junior | Guard-Forward | UndecidedWestbrook is rare combination of size and athleticism, and she led South Salem to a 29-1 record and the Oregon 6A championship. The numbers -- 19.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 3.9 assists -- are impressive, but so is the cumulative 53-3 record over the past two seasons.
FOURTH TEAM
Amber Ramirez, Wagner
Photo by Kenneth Toso
5-8 | Senior | Guard | TCU
The
Golden State Warriors have made it clear that 3-point shooting is the
wave of the future, and Ramirez -- one of the best shooters in the
country -- will ride that wave to TCU next year.
Valerie Higgins, Chaminade (West Hills, Calif.)
6-1 | Senior | Guard-Forward | USCHiggins did it all for No. 9 Chaminade: She scored (20.2 ppg), rebounded (10.5 rpg), stole the ball (6.1 spg) and passed the ball (6.2 apg). And at 6-1, she became the point guard for Chaminade, which won the California Open Division title, with a 2.0 assist/turnover ratio. She'll likely move to the wing at USC.
Jenna Staiti, West Forsyth (Cumming, Ga.)
6-5 | Senior | Center | MarylandAt 6-5, one would expect Staiti to be tough around the basket, but the Georgia Player of the Year is exceptional, especially in traffic. She has great body control and excellent touch near the rim, all of which -- plus being 6-5 -- should serve her well at Maryland.
Jocelyn Willoughby, Newark Academy (Livingston, N.J.)
6-0 | Senior | Forward | VirginiaNew Jersey's top player led a small school to a 19-6 record thanks to her strength and mid-range game. She was the Gatorade pick as Player of the Year in the Garden State.
Aaliyah Wilson, Muskogee (Okla.)
5-9 | Senior | Guard | ArkansasIt seems only fitting that the death of the writer of "Okie from Muskogee" (Merle Haggard) should be followed up with Aaliyah Wilson's selection to the MaxPreps All-American Team. But Wilson didn't need to play the guitar to earn this honor: The 17.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocks each game for a 24-3 team did the trick.
FIFTH TEAM
Rennia Davis, Ribault
Photo by Steven Ryan
6-1 | Junior | Wing | UndecidedRennia (pronounced "ren-nye-ah") Davis and Ribault (pronounced "ree-balt") both came on late, and both confused broadcasters. But the long, athletic and tall wing led Ribault to the Dick's Invitational championship and the No. 5 ranking in the country.
Chanelle Molina, Konawaena (Kealakekua, Hawaii)
5-6 | Senior | Guard | Washington StateMolina not only led Konawaena to two straight Hawaii championships, she also injected Konawaena into the national discussion. She averaged 19 points and eight rebounds a game, but her role as point guard and facilitator led to 7.6 assists a game -- and to a 57-2 record the past two years.
Leaonna Odom, Chaminade (West Hills, Calif.)
6-1 | Senior | Guard-Forward | DukeDurability is an ability, and though Odom was spectacular when she played -- no more so than when scored 33 to lead Chaminade past then-No. 6 Miramonte in the California Open Division championship game -- she missed nine games due to injury. Had she been healthy all year, she undoubtedly would have been higher up this list.
Jasmine Whitney, Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.)
5-9 | Senior | Guard | PittsburghIn four years, Whitney helped Paul VI to 123 wins against just 12 losses, and this season she was named the Player of the Year in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference, arguably the most competitive conference in the country. Whitney is a versatile combo guard who can shoot it and get to the rim, and was a big reason Paul VI wound up third in the nation.
Anna Wilson, Bellevue (Wash.)
5-7 | Senior | Guard | StanfordIt will be hard for Wilson to escape the shadow of her brother Russell (who plays for some team called the Seattle Seahawks), but by leading Bellevue to an unbeaten season and the No. 9 ranking in the country, she moved a little closer to the bright lights.
SIXTH TEAM
Mikayla Pivec, Lynnwood
Photo by Vince Miller
5-9 | Senior | Guard | Oregon StatePivec's
numbers were impressive -- especially 14.1 rebounds a game for a 5-9
guard -- and so was Lynnwood's season. Lynnwood finished with just one
loss and spent most of the year in the Xcellent 25 before losing to
Bellevue in the playoffs.
Kathleen Doyle, Benet Academy (Lisle, Ill.)
5-8 | Senior | Guard | NebraskaDoyle was the engine for No. 25 Benet Academy, which won its first state title this season. Though she scored just under 14 points a game, she handed out 5.2 assists and was the MVP of the state championship win over Fremd.
Kelly Jekot, Cumberland Valley (Mechanicsburg, Pa.)
5-10 | Senior | Guard | VillanovaCumberland Valley won its third-straight state title this past season -- and finished at No. 18 in the Xcellent 25 -- and Jekot had a lot to do with all those accomplishments. She averaged 21.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists this season, but also was the leader of 30-3 Cumberland Valley.
Blair Watson, Nutley (N.J.)
6-0 | Senior | Wing | Maryland
Watson has maybe the best nickname in the country -- "Blair from Anywhere" -- as she's taken Steph Curry's long-range ways to heart. Her height also gives her an advantage, and she can shoot over most defenders, even if they do pick her up at half court.
Erin Whalen, Providence Day (Charlotte)
6-1 | Senior | Wing | VanderbiltAnother tall shooter, Whalen led Providence Day to a 27-2 record and a state championship, in great part by working the baseline. Of course, it's easier to penetrate when you shoot 47 percent from 3-point distance.
HONORABLE MENTION
Kelly Campbell, St. John-Vianney
Photo by Richard Ta
5-9 | Senior | Guard | DePaulSt.
John-Vianney's only loss came when Campbell missed the game. And in the
New Jersey state title game, her free throws down the stretch sealed
the deal.
Jensen Caretti, River (Hannibal, Ohio)
6-1 | Senior | Wing | Ohio StateCaretti goes to a very small school in Ohio, but college coaches had no trouble locating this athletic, skilled, 6-1 wing.
Chennedy Carter, Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas)
5-7 | Junior | Guard | UndecidedIf you like strong point guards who get to the rim whenever they want, you'll love Carter.
Nicole Ekhomu, Joliet Catholic (Ill.)
5-9 | Senior | Guard | Florida StateWhen you combine athleticism, explosion and shooting, you usually have a very good basketball player -- and Ekhomu is no exception.
Nadia Fingall, Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.)
6-3 | Senior | Center | StanfordFingall averaged 18.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.0 blocks for 26-6 Choctawhatchee, and led her team to the state semifinals.
Kysre Gondrezick, Benton Harbor (Mich.)
5-9 | Senior | Guard | Michigan
The Gatorade Player of the Year in Michigan, Gondrezick is the daughter of former NBA player Glen Gondrezick and played for her mother, Lisa Harvey-Gondrezick, at Benton Harbor. And her sister plays at Michigan State, which should lead to some interesting dinner table discussions.
Vivian Gray, Argyle (Texas)
6-1 | Junior | Forward | UndecidedGray averaged 22.1 points and 7.6 rebounds a game for 35-1 Argyle, which avoided the fate of most Texas teams (losing to Duncanville) by being in a different division -- and winning a state title.
Anastasia Hayes, Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
5-7 | Junior | Guard | UndecidedRiverdale came on strong at the end of the season, and won the Tennessee 3A title, thanks in great part to Hayes, who averaged 19.7 points and 4.7 assists per game.
Jazmine Jones, Florida A&M (Tallahassee, Fla.)
5-10 | Senior | Guard-Wing | Louisville The Gatorade Player of the Year in Florida, Jones averaged 22.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists for a 30-2 team that won the 2A title.
Alisha Kebbe, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)
5-10 | Senior | Guard | Syracuse Kebbe is an explosive leaper who can step out and shoot on the perimeter -- and was a big reason why 29-1 Neumann-Goretti wound up No. 11 in the country.
Tori McCoy, St. Thomas More (Champaign, Ill.)
6-4 | Senior | Center | Ohio State
McCoy missed a month with a hairline fracture in her foot, but still averaged 20 points and eight rebounds a game. She's expected to move to the power forward slot at Ohio State, since she can shoot from the elbow as well as dominate inside.
Nancy Mulkey, Cypress Woods (Texas)
6-9 | Senior | Center | OklahomaMulkey is indeed 6-9, and she's gotten better every year -- which means she projects as one of the top players in the country by the time she graduates from Oklahoma.
Chasity Patterson, North Shore (Houston)
5-5 | Junior | Guard | UndecidedA 5-5 point guard has to be quick to be on the MaxPreps All-American Team, and Patterson is definitely quick. She also has a nifty mid-range jumper and reminds many of first-team guard Crystal Dangerfield.
Shadeen Samuels, Ossining (N.Y.)
6-0 | Senior | Forward | Seton Hall
Samuels put up big numbers for Ossining -- 24.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg and 5.3 apg -- and her slashing style helped her team to a 28-2 record.
Samantha Thomas, Centennial (Las Vegas)
6-0 | Junior | Guard-Forward | Undecided No. 7 Centennial had more than just Coach of the Year Karen Weitz -- Thomas defended and scored from all over the court for the 31-1 state champion.
