Senior guard led Sacred Heart to 36-3 record, fifth consecutive state championship.
Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school girls 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.
ZaKiyah Johnson of
Sacred Heart (Louisville) is the 2024-25 Kentucky MaxPreps Player of the Year. A four-time pick for the state's highest honor, the 6-foot senior guard led the Valkyries to a 36-3 record and the school's fifth consecutive state championship.
For the season, Johnson averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.4 steals per game.
ZaKiyah Johnson of Sacred Heart is the Kentucky MaxPreps Player of the Year for the fourth straight season. The LSU commit led the Valkyries to a fifth straight state title and ended her career with 2,996 points. (PHOTO: Wayne Litmer)
A multi-time MaxPreps All-American, Johnson was the state tournament MVP for the fourth straight year after scoring a game-high 21 points in a 65-60 win over George Rogers Clark (Winchester). She finished her prep career with 2,996 points and 1,141 rebounds.
Regarded as a top 20 prospect in the Class of 2025 by
247Sports, Johnson signed with LSU in November. She will participate in the McDonald's All American Game next month.
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 in April. Past selections include 2024 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson (2014) as well as 2024 All-WNBA first team picks Caitlin Clark (2020), Napheesa Collier (2015), Breanna Stewart (2012) and Alyssa Thomas (2010).
Past Kentucky MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — ZaKiyah Johnson, Sacred Heart (Louisville)
2022-23 — ZaKiyah Johnson, Sacred Heart
2023-24 — ZaKiyah Johnson, Sacred Heart
