Senior forward led Highland to its second state title in three seasons.
Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school basketball. The tradition continues to close out the 2024-25 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.
Nate Ament of
Highland (Warrenton) is the 2024-25 Virginia MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 6-foot-9 senior forward led the Hawks to a 42-7 record and the VISAA Division I state championship.
For the season, Ament averaged 19.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest. In a 56-51 overtime victory against Bishop O'Connell (Arlington) in the state title game, he piled up 24
points and 18 rebounds.
Nate Ament rises for a dunk during the VISAA playoffs. (PHOTO: Pierre Cannon)
Ament had a number of impressive performances this season but his outing at the Spalding Hoophall Classic in January may have been his best, tallying 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists to lead Highland to a 61-57 upset victory over nationally-ranked Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.).
Regarded as the No. 4 prospect in the Class of 2025 according to
247Sports, Ament is expected to choose between Arkansas, Duke, Kentucky, Louisville and Tennessee this spring.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which is scheduled to be released April 8. Past selections include 2023-24 All-NBA picks Devin Booker (2014), Jalen Brunson (2014, 2015), Anthony Davis (2011), Kevin Durant (2006), Anthony Edwards (2019) and Jayson Tatum (2014, 2015, 2016).
Past Virginia MaxPreps Players of the Year2019-20 – Cam Thomas, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson)
2020-21 – Trevor Keels, Paul VI (Chantilly)
2021-22 – Chris Livingston, Oak Hill Academy
2022-23 – Deshawn Harris-Smith, Paul VI
2023-24 – Darren Harris, Paul VI
