National Player of the Year Ben Simmons of Montverde Academy headlines our look at the nation's top 50 performers from the 2014-15 high school basketball season.
Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized the top 50 high school boys basketball players in America. Past honorees include NBA All-Stars Kevin Durant (2006), Blake Griffin (2007), Kevin Love (2006-07) and Derrick Rose (2006-07).
Selections are based on team success, individual production and local, regional and state honors from the recently completed season. Potential at the college or professional level is not a primary consideration. Players in post-graduate and non-scholastic programs are not eligible for inclusion.
Highlighted by Player of the Year selection
Ben Simmons of
Montverde Academy (Fla.), MaxPreps presents the 2014-15 All-American Team.
2014-15 MaxPreps All-American First Team (L to R): Jaylen Brown, Dwayne Bacon, Ben Simmons, Isaiah Briscoe and Malik Newman.
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6-6 | 200 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: Florida StateStock soared this winter as scorer extraordinaire put up 24.4 points per night for Oak Hill Academy team that finished with a 47-1 record. MVP of the Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions in January.
Isaiah Briscoe, Roselle Catholic (N.J.)
6-2 | 205 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: KentuckyBig Game Briscoe followed up Nike EYBL crown over the summer with a NJSIAA Tournament of Champions title this winter. NJ.com Player of the Year put up 20.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.
Jaylen Brown, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.)
6-7 | 215 | Senior | Wing
Headed to: UndecidedLed storied Georgia program to City of Palms Classic and Georgia Class AAAAAA titles, putting up 28 points and 12 rebounds per game.
Malik Newman, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.)
6-3 | 185 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: UndecidedAveraged 29.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in leading Chargers to fourth consecutive state title in Mississippi. Also a two-time gold medalist with USA Basketball.
MAXPREPS NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Fla.)
6-9 | 225 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: LSUMontverde Academy went 62-1 with three Dick's Nationals titles since Simmons debuted in April of 2013. Australian product posted 27.1 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game this season.
SECOND TEAM
Jalen Brunson, Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Ill.)
6-1 | 190 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: VillanovaIllinois Mr. Basketball posted 23.3 points, 5.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game for Class 4A state champs. Stevenson went 90-10 with two title game appearances in his final three seasons.
Luke Kennard, Franklin (Ohio)
6-5 | 190 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: DukeCarried Franklin program to Ohio Division II regional finals by averaging just under 40 points per game on the season. Finished with 2,977 career points – second all-time in the Buckeye State.
Dedric Lawson, Hamilton (Memphis, Tenn.)
6-8 | 195 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: MemphisSpectacular senior season somewhat overshadowed by eligibility controversy that cost Hamilton 15 wins. Lawson still led Wildcats to state title, averaging 21.3 points and 15.5 rebounds per game.
Ivan Rabb, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.)
6-9 | 225 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: UndecidedStorybook ending for the prototype power forward, hitting free throw to end a string of six state championship game losses for O'Dowd. Averaged over 20 points and 15 rebounds per game.
Caleb Swanigan, Homestead (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
6-8 | 265 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: UndecidedFast-tracked high school career to become member of 2015 class over the summer and played like experienced senior this season, averaging over 22 points and 14 rebounds per game for Class 4A state champions. Had a 40-point, 19-rebounds effort in state semifinals.
THIRD TEAMChris Clarke, Cape Henry Collegiate (Virginia Beach, Va.)
6-6 | 195 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: Virginia TechLed Collegiate to best season in program history, averaging 15.8 points and nine boards. All-Tidewater and VISAA Division I Player of the Year.
Cheick Diallo, Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.)
6-9 | 220 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: UndecidedMVP of the McDonald's All-American Game, Mali native posted averages of 17.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
Brandon Ingram, Kinston (N.C.)
6-8 | 190 | Senior | Wing
Headed to: UndecidedSwept POY honors in North Carolina after leading Kinston to fourth state championship in a row. Averaged 24.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
Diamond Stone, Dominican (Whitefish Bay, Wis.)
6-10 | 250 | Senior | Center
Headed to: MarylandRecent Terrapin pledge piled up 24.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game en route to fourth state championship at Dominican.
Allonzo Trier, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)
6-4 | 200 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: ArizonaLethal scorer poured in 26.6 points per night for the Pilots, who reached the semifinals of Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals.
FOURTH TEAM
Antonio Blakeney, Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.)
6-3 | 170 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: LSUFlorida's Mr. Basketball is one of the elite scorers in the 2015 class, putting up just under 30 a night this season for 8A regional finalist Oak Ridge.
Deyonta Davis, Muskegon (Mich.)
6-9 | 215 | Senior | Center
Headed to: Michigan StateCame up short in bid for back-to-back state titles but still earned Mr. Basketball in Michigan. No stranger to triple-double stat lines, averaged over 18 points and 16 rebounds per game.
Henry Ellenson, Rice Lake (Wis.)
6-9 | 235 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: MarquetteShared Mr. Basketball honors in Wisconsin with Diamond Stone after putting up 27.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per game, leading Rice Lake to Division 2 state championship game.
Harry Giles, Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.)
6-9 | 230 | Junior | Forward
Headed to: UndecidedPosted 23.9 points and 12.5 rebounds per game for City of Palms semifinalists and NCISAA Class 3A runner-up. Scary that he probably still isn't 100 percent recovered from serious knee injury that caused him to miss sophomore year.
Jayson Tatum, Chaminade (St. Louis, Mo.)
6-8 | 195 | Junior | Guard
Headed to: UndecidedGatorade Player of the Year in Missouri put up 26.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. State championship is about the only thing missing from impressive resume.
FIFTH TEAMKevaughn Allen, North Little Rock (Ark.)
6-3 | 175 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: FloridaCenterpiece of three-peat state championship run for Charging Wildcats. Averaged 25.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game in 2014-15.
Carlton Bragg, Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland)
6-8 | 225 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: KansasCenterpiece of state championship season for Vikings, averaged 21 points per game and earned Ohio Division III Player of the Year honors.
Thomas Bryant, Huntington St. Joseph Prep (W.Va.)
6-10 | 240 | Senior | Center
Headed to: IndianaHad a memorable performance in Dick's Nationals first round win, dominating with 27 points and 19 rebounds. Averaged 17.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots per game on the season.
De'Jounte Murray, Rainier Beach (Seattle)
6-6 | 175 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: WashingtonConsistent stat sheet stuffer piled up 24.2 points, 13.6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game for Washington Class 3A finalists.
Stephen Thompson Jr., Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.)
6-3 | 175 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: Oregon StateMonster senior campaign included averages of 24.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. Bishop Montgomery went 31-2 and won Southern Section Open Division title.
HONORABLE MENTIONEdrice Adebayo, Northside (Pinetown, N.C.)
6-9 | 240 | Junior | Forward
Headed to: UndecidedPushed for POY honors in North Carolina after posting numbers that are almost hard to believe – 32.2 points, 21.0 rebounds and 4.5 blocked shots per game.
Esa Ahmad, Shaker Heights (Ohio)
6-7 | 220 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: West VirginiaCleveland.com and Ohio Division I player of the year nods after recording 23.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, leading Heights to state quarterfinals.
Prince Ali, Sagemont (Weston, Fla.)
6-4 | 190 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: UCLALions went 62-5 with two state championship appearances over last two seasons. Averaged 22.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game as a senior.
Marvin Bagley III, Corona del Sol (Tempe, Ariz.)
6-9 | 215 | Freshman | Forward
Headed to: UndecidedFirst freshman to earn MaxPreps All-American honors after leading Corona del Sol to state title, putting up 19.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per outing.
Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.)
6-6 | 180 | Junior | Guard
Headed to: UCLAEntertaining floor general nearly averaged triple-double (24.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 9.1 assists per game) while leading Huskies to Division I state title game.
Malik Beasley, St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.)
6-4 | 185 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: Florida StateUber-athlete helped Knights win back-to-back state titles, averaging 22.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per contest.
Eric Davis, Arthur Hill (Saginaw, Mich.)
6-3 | 175 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: TexasTeamed with sophomore star Brian Bown to lift Saginaw school to Class A state championship game, averaging 27 points per game.
Tyler Davis, Plano West (Texas)
6-9 | 270 | Senior | Center
Headed to: Texas A&MAveraged 18.7 points, 12.2 rebounds and 3.4 blocked shots per game for Texas Class 6A state champions.
Tyler Dorsey, Maranatha (Pasadena, Calif.)
6-4 | 185 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: OregonTopped 40-point mark 11 times – including 52 in playoff win over Chaminade. Averaged 34.0 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game on the season.
Admon Gilder, Madison (Dallas)
6-3 | 180 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: Texas A&MDid it all for Texas Class 4A semifinalist, tallying 30.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.4 steals per game.
Jessie Govan, Wings Academy (Bronx, N.Y.)
6-10 | 255 | Senior | Center
Headed to: GeorgetownChrist the King junior Rawle Alkins earned NYC POY honors but Govan led Wings Academy to state title and Dick's Nationals appearance, averaging 22.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game.
Dennis Hogg, Plano West (Texas)
6-8 | 200 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: Texas A&MAnother key weapon in star-studded Plano West lineup, posted 17.6 points per game and hit memorable game-winner in state championship game.
Dazon Ingram, Theodore (Ala.)
6-4 | 190 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: UndecidedMr. Basketball in Alabama put up nightly double-double (21 points, 10 rebounds) for 28-5 Bobcats.
Chase Jeter, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
6-10 | 225 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: DukeContributed 16.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game for Beach Ball Classic and Nevada Division I state champs.
Joshua Langford, Madison Academy (Ala.)
6-6 | 200 | Junior | Guard
Headed to: UndecidedMay go down as most decorated high school basketball player in Alabama history. Averaged 24.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.9 assists per outing for Class 3A state champions.
Keelon Lawson, Hamilton (Memphis, Tenn.)
6-7 | 195 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: MemphisYounger brother Dedric got much of the pub this season but Keelon was "That Dude" in the state tournament, connecting on over 70 percent of his field goal attempts while averaging 22.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Charles Matthews, St. Rita (Chicago)
6-6 | 185 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: KentuckyFulfilled his vast promise as a senior, averaging 22 points per game and leading St. Rita to 26-4 record.
Shake Milton, Owasso (Okla.)
6-4 | 175 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: UndecidedGatorade and Tulsa World Oklahoma Player of the Year piled up 27.8 points per game.
Malik Monk, Bentonville (Ark.)
6-3 | 185 | Junior | Guard
Headed to: UndecidedExplosive athleticism and scoring ability, Arkansas Online All-Arkansas POY put up 26.9 points per game.
Malachi Richardson, Trenton Catholic Academy (N.J.)
6-5 | 200 | Senior | Wing
Headed to: SyracuseBested MaxPreps first teamer Isaiah Briscoe for New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year honors, averaging 20.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.
Cody Riley, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
6-8 | 240 | Sophomore | Forward
Headed to: UndecidedLast year's MaxPreps Freshman of the Year was lead dog for team that went 26-4 and won California Division V state title. Averaged 15.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
Maverick Rowan, Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
6-7 | 200 | Junior | Guard
Headed to: UndecidedPumped in 26.5 points per game for nationally-ranked Class 5A state champions. May attempt to re-classify and head to college this fall.
Elijah Thomas, Lancaster (Texas)
6-8 | 250 | Senior | Forward
Headed to: Texas A&MProduced 17.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game for Texas Class 5A state champions, who finished season with a 28-game win streak.
Jesse Wade, Davis (Kaysville, Utah)
6-0 | 175 | Senior | Guard
Headed to: GonzagaUtah's Mr. Basketball earned an honorary key to the city of Kaysville (really, he did) after piling up 26.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per outing.
James Walker Jr., Jonesboro (Ga.)
6-5 | 210 | Sophomore | Wing
Headed to: UndecidedCardinals are 60-7 with a pair of state titles in Walker's two seasons with program. Averaged 17.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game en route to Class 4A player of the year honors.
