High school basketball: Cameron Boozer, Dylan Harper, Ron Holland, Tre Johnson headline MaxPreps National Player of the Year watch list

By Jordan Divens Feb 9, 2023, 11:30am

Who will join past winners including Kevin Love, Ben Simmons, Lonzo Ball and Michael Porter Jr.?

The 2022-23 high school basketball season continues to deliver impressive individual performances from the top prospects in the nation as teams approach postseason play around the country.

After releasing our initial list of 20 of the top players in high school basketball regardless of classification last month, today we narrow that list to 10 players with approximately two months remaining in the 2022-23 season.

Cameron Boozer of Columbus (Miami), Dylan Harper of Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), Tre Johnson of Lake Highlands (Dallas, Texas) and Ron Holland of Duncanville (Texas) have established themselves as front-runners in the MaxPreps National Player of the Year race with six additional players remaining in the mix for the prestigious honor.

As the most important part of the season approaches, there is still plenty of time for other players to emerge in a tightly contested race for the top player in high school basketball this season. Players are listed in alphabetical order.
Graphic by Ryan Escobar
Graphic by Ryan Escobar

6-9 | Center | Class of 2024
Top five junior prospect is averaging 18.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.5 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals while shooting 81 percent from field and 56 percent from the free throw line. Bidunga has a pair of triple-doubles this season for the Wildkats.



6-9 | Forward | Class of 2025
Top-ranked sophomore prospect is averaging 22.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals while shooting 64 percent from field, 43 percent from 3-point range, 88 percent from the free throw line. Boozer has led the Explorers to the No. 5 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25.

6-3 | Guard | Class of 2023
Top-ranked senior prospect is averaging 19.4 points, 8.0 assists, 5.7 rebounds and three steals while shooting 54.6 percent from inside the arc, 36 percent from 3-point range and 79 percent from the free throw line to lead the Wildcats to a record of 18-6.

6-4 | Guard | Class of 2024
Regarded as the No. 4 prospect in the Class of 2024, Harper has led the Ironmen to the No. 20 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 by averaging 24.1 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and two steals while shooting 56.5 percent from the field, 42.3 percent from 3-point range and 76.3 percent from the free throw line.

6-4 | Guard | Class of 2023
Four-star Maryland signee has been the catalyst for the top-ranked team in the MaxPreps Top 25, averaging 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 3.0 steals against tough national competition.

6-8 | Forward | Class of 2023
Top 10 Texas signee is averaging 20.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.9 steals while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 79.1 percent from the charity stripe to lead the Panthers to the No. 3 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25.

6-5 | Guard | Class of 2024
Top-ranked junior prospect has guided the Wildcats to the No. 12 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 by averaging 22.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 52 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 92 percent from the free throw line.

6-2 | Guard | Class of 2023
Five-star Duke signee has guided the Huskies to the No. 6 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25, averaging 18 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 45 percent from field, 37 percent from 3-point range and 81 percent from the free throw line. McCain poured in 41 points on senior night.

6-0 | Guard | Class of 2023
Four-star Oregon signee is averaging 28.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.4 steals to lead the Lions to the No. 13 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25. Shelstad was named tournament MVP at the Les Schwab Invitational after leading West Linn to signature victories over Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) and Duncanville (Texas).



6-3 | Guard | Class of 2023
The No. 4 prospect in the senior classification is averaging 22.2 points to bring his career point total to 1,965. Wagner has led the Panthers to the No. 7 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 with a record of 20-2.

Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2006 — Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
2007 — Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Lake Oswego, Ore.)
2008 — Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2009 — Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Atlanta)
2010 — Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa)
2011 — Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2012 — Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
2013 — Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2014 — Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2015 — Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2016 — Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.)
2017 — Michael Porter Jr., Nathan Hale (Seattle)
2018 — R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy
2019 — Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
2020 — Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy
2021 — Chet Holmgren, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis)
2022 — Dariq Whitehead, Montverde Academy