Mater Dei star joins past winners Jabari Parker, Harrison Barnes and Kevin Love as recipient of the nation's highest honor.
Photos by MaxPreps Photographers/Graphic by SocialRecluse Graphx
How great was the four-year run of
Stanley Johnson at
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)?
He hasn't graduated yet, but the 6-foot-6, 225-pound senior is featured on the school's "Notable Alumni" list on Wikipedia.
2014 MaxPreps POY Stanley Johnson
Photo by Heston Quan
And that's not just any alumni list. Mater Dei has produced athletic greats like Matt Barkley, 1960 Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte, 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, UConn women's great Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Miles Simon.
But no need to wait for a player that helped the school win four state titles, was the
MaxPreps National Junior of the Year in 2012-13 and today earns the title of 2013-14 MaxPreps National Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
The Monarchs went 135-7 during Johnson's four years in the program. The SoCal star (who Twitter handle is
@StanMan_41) capped his career by leading Mater Dei to a 35-0 record and the No. 1 national ranking in the
final MaxPreps Xcellent 25.
As a senior, Johnson averaged 25 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game to carry a rotation that included three juniors, two sophomores and a freshman through a rugged schedule. The Monarchs beat five eventual state champions and went 9-0 against teams that played for a state title.
Signature performances include outings of 29 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists against Trinity League rival St. John Bosco (Bellflower) in early February and 38 points and 14 rebounds in a playoff contest against Etiwanda.
He also put up 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a
showdown victory against Jahlil Okafor and Whitney Young (Chicago) at the Nike Extravaganza.
Johnson – tabbed as the No. 3 prospect in the 2014 class by the
247Sports Composite – will continue his career in 2014-15 at Arizona. He earned a spot in the McDonald's All-American Game and will play in the Jordan Brand Classic at Barclays Center later this month.
Continue on in the slideshow to see more photos of Johnson this seasonPast MaxPreps National Players of the Year2013 – Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2012 – Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
2011 – Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2010 – Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa)
2009 – Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Ga.)
2008 – Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2007 – Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Ore.)
2006 – Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
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Johnson finished his career in the discussion about the best players ever in California.
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Johnson played multiple positions during his tenure at Mater Dei.
Photo by Heston Quan
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Johnson poses in a preseason team photo shoot.
Photo by Louis Lopez
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Johnson's four state titles, shown here in chronological order.
MaxPreps photographers/Social Recluse Graphx
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Johnson gets airborne in a postseason game against Chino Hills.
Photo by Louis Lopez
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Johnson accepts his MVP plaque at the Hoophall West Tournament.
Photo by Mark Jones
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Johnson goes over a Yates opponent for a layup.
Photo by Mark Jones
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Johnson throws down a dunk in the state title game.
Photo by Gregg Samelson
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Johnson fights through two Neumann Goretti defenders at the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Massachusetts.
Photo by Mike Braca
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Johnson poses in the team's expansive trophy room.
Photo by Louis Lopez
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Johnson shares his fourth state title trophy with coach Gary McKnight.
Photo by David Steutel
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Johnson shows his dribbling skills at the Hoophall Classic.
Photo by Mike Braca
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