2024-25 MaxPreps National Player of the Year finalists unveiled for girls basketball

As the 2024-25 high school girls basketball season approaches its final weeks, some of the nation's top players continue to shine and strengthen their resume for postseason accolades.

Among those is MaxPreps National Player of the Year, which will be announced in April. Past winners include Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu. Today, we narrow the list of candidates to join that list and capture the nation's highest prep hoops honor to five.

Listed alphabetically, see the complete list of finalists below. Sienna Betts, Grandview (Aurora, Colo.)
One of the most dominant and versatile bigs in the high school game, Betts is averaging 23.8 points, 17.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.4 blocks and 2.3 steals per game. The Wolves are 20-3 and the top seed in the upcoming Class 6A postseason. The McDonald's All American has posted a double-double in every game this season.

One of the most electric scorers in the game has the Plainsmen one win from their first state title since 1981. Chavez is averaging 35.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.8 steals for Monterey (36-5). Also headed to the McDonald's All American Game, she is sixth in the nation in scoring according to the MaxPreps leaderboards and has gone for 50 or more three times and 40 or more 16 times.

Can play anywhere from 1 to 5 and is averaging 29.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 2.3 blocks and 2.0 assists per game for the Cavaliers (25-2). Clackamas has been dominating in-state opponents while looking for its second Class 6A title in three seasons. On a national stage, the McDonald's All American dropped an incredible 35 points against then-No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), including a pair of clutch free throws to send the game into the extra frame at the Nike TOC.

The transfer from Ohio has shined at Montverde Academy. Hall has led the Eagles to a 25-1 record against a grueling national slate of games. She is averaging team-high 20.0 points along with 6.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals per game. She has gone for 20 or more points 19 times this season, including a 26-point effort in a 65-57 win over fellow Florida power IMG Academy (Bradenton).

Playing well beyond her years, Ontario Christian's floor general is averaging 23.3 points, 8.0 assists, 4.6 steals and 2.8 rebounds per game. Smith has led the Knights to a 28-1 record and berth in the Southern Section Open Division final Saturday against reigning MaxPreps National Champion Etiwanda. Her scoring is down from last year's 34.9 point average but she is still the catalyst for a team putting up 80 points per game.

Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year

2006 — Jacki Gemelos, St. Mary's (Stockton, Calif.)
2007 — Maya Moore, Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.)
2008 — Nneka Ogwumike, Cy-Fair (Cypress, Texas)
2009 — Skylar Diggins, South Bend Washington (South Bend, Ind.)
2010 — Chiney Ogwumike, Cy-Fair
2011 — Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2012 — Breanna Stewart, Cicero-North Syracuse (Cicero, N.Y.)
2013 — Diamond DeShields, Norcross (Ga.)
2014 — A'ja Wilson, Heathwood Hall Episcopal (Columbia, S.C.)
2015 — Ali Patberg, Columbus North (Columbus, Ind.)
2016 — Sabrina Ionescu, Miramonte (Orinda, Calif.)
2017 — Megan Walker, Monacan (Richmond, Va.)
2018 — Christyn Williams, Central Arkansas Christian (North Little Rock, Ark.)
2019 — Azzi Fudd, St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
2020 — Paige Bueckers, Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.)
2021 — Raven Johnson, Westlake (Atlanta)
2022 — Juju Watkins, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
2023 — Juju Watkins, Sierra Canyon
2024 — Jaloni Cambridge, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)