High school basketball: Best player in all 50 states heading into the 2023-24 season

By Jordan Divens Nov 16, 2023, 11:00am

Cooper Flagg, Cameron Boozer, A.J. Dybantsa, Airious Bailey, Flory Bidunga and Dylan Harper headline standouts across the country.

Earlier this week, we expanded the MaxPreps Top 25 to 100 teams and unveiled high school basketball's top tournament and events and showcases. Today we dig a little deeper to spotlight the best individual talents in all 50 states.

Among our state-best ballers are top-ranked senior Cooper Flagg and reigning MaxPreps National Player of the Year Cameron Boozer splitting honors in Florida, 2022-23 MaxPreps Junior of the Year Tre Johnson in Missouri and top-ranked junior prospect A.J. Dybantsa in California.

From Alabama to Wyoming and every state in between, we searched coast-to-coast to find the best player from your state heading into the 2023-24 season. Check back next week for the best team in all 50 states.
(Graphic: Ryan Escobar)
(Graphic: Ryan Escobar)
Alabama
Height: 6-5 | Position: Wing | Class: Sophomore (2026)
Helped guide the Bucks to the Class 6A state title last season, averaging 16.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists per contest. Holt is regarded as the No. 3 prospect in the Class of 2026.

Alaska
Height: 6-3 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Class 4A All-State selection was the catalyst for a Bettye Davis East Anchorage team that lost all five starters but still managed to capture the Class 4A state title.



Arizona
Height: 6-8 | Position: Forward | Class: Junior (2025)
First team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection averaged 19.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game to guide the Pumas to their second consecutive state title.

Arkansas
Height: 6-6 | Position: Wing | Class: Senior (2024)
Top 50 Missouri signee averaged 15.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals per contest to guide the Tigers to the Class 6A state quarterfinals.

California
Height: 6-9 | Position: Wing | Class: Junior (2025)
Top-ranked junior prospect led St. Sebastian's (Needham, Mass.) to the New England Preparatory Athletic Council Class A title game after averaging 19.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 blocks per game last season.

Colorado
Height: 6-6 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Top 100 Colorado signee averaged 19.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.8 blocks per contest to help the Grizzlies reach the Class 6A state tournament last season.

Connecticut
Height: 6-6 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Yale commit earned first team all-state honors last season after averaging 24.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Fox broke the school's all-time scoring record and currently sits at 1,430 career points.

Delaware
Height: 6-5 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Under-the-radar Temple signee averaged 13 points per contest last season and exploded for 35 points and 10 rebounds against powerhouse Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia, Pa.).

District of Columbia
Height: 6-7 | Position: Wing | Class: Senior (2024)
Three-star Georgetown signee sparked the Quakers to an 18-1 finish to the season after missing the first half of the campaign due to injury. He led the team in scoring at 12.9 points per contest.



Florida
Height: 6-9 | Position: Forward | Class: Junior (2025)
MaxPreps National Player of the Year averaged 21.1 points, 11.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game to lead the Explorers to their second consecutive Class 7A state title and a top 10 national ranking. Boozer begins the season as co-favorite with Cooper Flagg for MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors this season.

Height: 6-8 | Position: Wing | Class: Senior (2024)
Widely regarded as the top prospect regardless of classification, Flagg filled the stat-sheet last season with averages of 9.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.2 blocks per contest last season. The Eagles begin the season as the team to beat in the National Top 10.

Georgia
Height: 6-8 | Position: Wing | Class: Senior (2024)
Top five prospect and Rutgers signee averaged 22 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks and three assists per outing to help the Indians reach the Class AAAAAAA state quarterfinals in 2022-23.

Hawaii
Height: 6-3 | Position: Forward | Class: Junior (2025)
Reigning MaxPreps Hawaii Player of the Year averaged 18.3 points per outing to guide the Crusaders to their second consecutive Division I state championship last season. He scored 15 points in the title game.

Idaho
Height: 6-4 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
USC signee is regarded as the No. 127 prospect in the Class of 2024. Campbell will again be the catalyst for an Owyhee team that begins the season ranked No. 76 in the preseason top 100.

Illinois
Height: 6-9 | Position: Center | Class: Senior (2024)
Top 40 Illinois signee transferred to Thornton in the off-season after averaging 17.2 points, 12.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per outing for St. Rita (Chicago) last season.



Indiana
Height: 6-8 | Position: Center | Class: Senior (2024)
First team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection averaged 20.2 points, 13.8 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per contest while shooting 81 percent from the field to help the Wildkats reach the state title game for the first time since 1989.

Iowa
Height: 6-8 | Position: Forward | Class: Junior (2025)
Son of Iowa head coach Fran McCaffrey, Jack is a four-star prospect who averaged 16.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per outing as a sophomore.

Kansas
Height: 6-1 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Prior to transferring to Sunrise Christian Academy for his senior season, the top 50 Kansas State signee became the all-time leading scorer at Bartlesville (Okla.) with 1,594 career points.

Kentucky
Height: 6-2 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Four-star Kentucky pledge averaged 32.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 4.7 steals per game to guide the Lyons to the state quarterfinals. He broke the career scoring record in Kentucky last season and currently sits at 4,359 career points.

Louisiana
Height: 6-8 | Position: Forward | Class: Senior (2024)
Three-star Tulane signee averaged 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists per contest to guide the Knights to the second round of the Division II Select state tournament.

Maine
Height: 6-0 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Earned all-state honors after averaging 27.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals to guide the Eagles to the Class B state semifinals.



Maryland
Height: 6-6 | Position: Forward | Class: Junior (2025)
MaxPreps Sophomore All-America honorable mention selection averaged 25.4 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.5 steals per outing to help the Lions reach the Class 2A state title game.

Massachusetts
Height: 5-11 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
MaxPreps Massachusetts Player of the Year averaged 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game to lead the Polar Bears to the program's first Division I state title.

Michigan
Height: 6-4 | Position: Guard | Class: Junior (2025)
Top 20 junior prospect averaged 25.2 points and 9.6 rebounds per outing to guide the Eaglets to the Division I state semifinals. St. Mary's Prep begins the season ranked No. 47 in the Preseason top 100.

Minnesota
Height: 6-9 | Position: Forward | Class: Senior (2024)
Top 40 Creighton signee averaged 16.7 points and 6.0 rebounds to guide the Trojans to the Class AAAA state title in 2022-23.

Mississippi
Height: 6-10 | Position: Center | Class: Sophomore (2026)
MaxPreps Freshman All-America honorable mention selection averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks per contest for the Mavericks.

Missouri
Height: 6-6 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
MaxPreps National Junior of the Year averaged 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest to lead Lake Highlands (Dallas, Texas) to the Class 6A state title and top 10 national ranking.

Montana
Height: 5-11 | Position: Guard | Class: Junior (2025)
Class AA All-State selection averaged 15.9 points, 4.8 assists and 2.2 steals per contest last  season to help the Bengals finish the season with a record of 14-7.

Nebraska
Height: 6-8 | Position: Forward | Class: Junior (2025)
Top 100 junior prospect averaged 16.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.2 blocks per game to lead the Bears to a 13-10 record.



Nevada
Height: 6-6 | Position: Forward | Class: Senior (2024)
After spending his junior season at AZ Compass Prep (Chandler, Ariz.), the four-star San Diego State signee transfers back to the Silver State for his senior campaign.

New Hampshire
Height: 6-5 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Top 80 Iowa State signee averaged 16.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest for St. Rita (Chicago) before transferring to the newly-minted NIBC school.

New Jersey
Height: 6-6 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
First team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection averaged 24.9 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals to guide the Ironmen to a 26-3 record and the John Wall Holiday Tournament title.

New Mexico
Height: 6-7 | Position: Forward | Class: Junior (2025)
Promising junior forward averaged 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists per contest to guide the Hawks to the Class 5A state title.

New York
Height: 6-5 | Position: Wing | Class: Senior (2024)
NIBC Player of the Year averaged 15.5 points. 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals to help the Crusaders finish the season ranked No. 3 in the MaxPreps Top 25 last season.

North Carolina
Height: 6-6 | Position: Wing | Class: Senior (2024)
First team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection averaged 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists to help guide the Vikings to the Class 4A state semifinals. Evans exploded for a career-high 62 points in a win in the state quarterfinals.



North Dakota
Height: 6-3 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
First team all-state selection averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per contest to guide the Spartans to the Class A state title.

Ohio
Height: 6-4 | Position: Guard | Class: Junior (2025)
Second team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection averaged 21.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.7 blocks per contest to guide the Spartans to their second consecutive Division IV state title.

Oklahoma
Height: 6-7 | Position: Wing | Class: Sophomore (2026)
Third team MaxPreps Freshman All-America selection averaged 20 points, five rebounds and three assists per game to help the Rams reach the Class 6A state semifinals.

Oregon
Height: 6-8 | Position: Forward | Class: Senior (2024)
Three-star Colorado State signee helped guide the Timberwolves to their second consecutive Class 6A state title last season, producing 19 points and 10 rebounds in the title game triumph.

Pennsylvania
Height: 6-4 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Third team MaxPreps Junior All-America selection averaged 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per contest in Philadelphia Catholic League action to lead the Vikings to the Class 6A state semifinals.

Rhode Island
Height: 6-1 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Two-time Division I All-State selection surpassed 1,000 career points last season while leading the Eagles to the Division 1 state quarterfinals.



South Carolina
Height: 6-5 | Position: Wing | Class: Senior (2024)
Reigning MaxPreps South Carolina Player of the Year averaged 19.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.4 steals to guide the Wildcats to the Class AAAAA state semifinals.

South Dakota
Height: 6-5 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
South Dakota commit averaged 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists per contest to earn first team all-state honors.

Tennessee
Height: 6-0 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Three-star Vanderbilt signee averaged 19.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.1 steals per outing to guide the Eagles to the Division II-AA state title.

Texas
Height: 6-6 | Position: Guard | Class: Junior (2025)
Top 50 junior prospect is averaging 19.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists through two games to start the season. Davis-Ray joined the Panthers from Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) in the offseason.

Utah
Height: 6-7 | Position: Forward | Class: Senior (2024)
Reigning MaxPreps Utah Player of the Year averaged 17.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists to help navigate the Chargers to the Class 6A state title. Four-star prospect is signed with USC.

Vermont
Height: 6-8 | Position: Forward | Class: Senior (2024)
Vermont commit averaged 14.9 points and 12.1 rebounds per contest last season to earn Metro Division Player of the year honors.



Virginia
Height: 6-11 | Position: Center | Class: Senior (2024)
Top 20 Duke signee is expected to be the anchor for a talent-filled Paul VI team that begins the season ranked No. 3 in the Preseason MaxPreps Top 25.

Washington
Height: 6-9 | Position: Forward | Class: Senior (2024)
Top 100 Virginia signee averaged 20.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists per contest to lead the Crusaders to the Class 3A state quarterfinals.

West Virginia
Height: 6-5 | Position: Guard | Class: Junior (2025)
First team MaxPreps Sophomore All-America selection averaged 31 points, nine rebounds and three steals per contest to help Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (Ohio) to the second round of the Division II state tournament.

Wisconsin
Height: 6-5 | Position: Wing | Class: Senior (2024)
MaxPreps Junior All-America honorable mention selection helped lead the Vikings to the Division II state quarterfinals by averaging 19.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest.

Wyoming
Height: 5-9 | Position: Guard | Class: Senior (2024)
Class 4A all-state selection averaged 18.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per contest to help the Wolverines reach the state quarterfinals last season.