Junior guard led Morris Catholic to second straight state title.
Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in prep girls basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2023-24 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.
Mia Pauldo of
Morris Catholic (Denville) is the 2023-24 New Jersey MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 5-foot-6 junior guard led the Crusaders to a 29-1 record and second straight Non-Public B state title.
For the season, Pauldo averaged 19.9 points, 5.9 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game. She shot 56 percent from the field with a high of 30 points in a 64-48 win over Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in January.
Mia Pauldo of Morris Catholic is the 2023-24 New Jersey MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 5-foot-6 junior guard led the Crusaders to a 29-1 record and second straight Non-Public B state title. (Photo: Audrey Eapen)
Mia along with twin sister
Mya have helped Morris Catholic go 57-4 over the past two seasons with back-to-back state titles. This year's Crusaders knocked off teams from California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio and Oklahoma.
The Pauldo twins are being recruited by the likes of Baylor, Georgetown, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Rutgers 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 11. Past selections include 2023 WNBA Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart (2012) as well as 2023 All-WNBA first team picks Napheesa Collier (2015), Alyssa Thomas (2010) and A'ja Wilson (2014).
Past New Jersey MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — Madison St. Rose, St. John Vianney (Holmdel)
2022-23 — Zoe Brooks, St. John Vianney (Holmdel)
