Tennessee signee led Hoover to third consecutive state title.
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.
DeWayne Brown of
Hoover is the 2024-25 Alabama MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 6-foot-9 senior center led the Buccaneers to a 35-0 record and their third consecutive Class 7A state championship.
For the season, Brown averaged 15.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.5 blocked shots per game. He shot 69.6 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from 3-point range.
DeWayne Brown was part of three consecutive state championship teams at Hoover, helping the program go 96-7 during that run. (PHOTO: Travis Kirkland)
Brown was a steady presence in the postseason, posting a team-high 18 points and 11 rebounds in a 63-60 victory over Huntsville in the quarterfinals, 27 points and 15 rebounds in a 94-67 win over Central (Phenix City) in the semifinals and 14 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots in a 66-56 triumph against Florence in the title game.
Last season, Brown earned MaxPreps Junior All-America honorable mention after averaging 15.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He helped guide the Buccaneers to a record of 96-7 during their three-run run of dominance.
Regarded as a top 100 prospect in the Class of 2025 according to
247Sports, Brown signed with Tennessee over offers from Alabama,
Cincinnati, LSU, Mississippi, Providence and Virginia Tech among others.
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 Alabama MaxPreps Players of the Year2019-20 – Colby Jones, Mountain Brook (Birmingham)
2020-21 – J.D. Davison, Calhoun (Letohatchee)
2021-22 – Barry Dunning, McGill-Toolen (Mobile)
2022-23 – Labaron Philon, Baker (Mobile)
2023-24 – Caleb Holt, Buckhorn (New Market)
