National Junior of the Year Ben Simmons was the star of stars earlier this month at Dick's Nationals. A native of Australia, Simmons is already committed to LSU.
Photo by Danny Wild
Highlighted by National Junior of the Year
Ben Simmons from
Montverde Academy (Fla.), MaxPreps presents the 2013-14 Boys Basketball Junior All-American Team.
Past Junior of the Year selections include:
2013 – Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2012 – Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2011 – Tony Parker, Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.)
2010 – Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
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 programs are not eligible for inclusion.
FIRST TEAMLuke Kennard, Franklin (Ohio)
6-4 | 190 | Guard
Duke verbal commit
Averaged slightly more than 40 points per game en route to Ohio Mr. Basketball and Division II co-Player of the Year honors.
Malik Newman, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.)
6-3 | 185 | GuardAlready a three-time state champion, potential No. 1 2015 prospect produced 29.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per night.
Ivan Rabb, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.)
6-9 | 225 | ForwardBay Area POY is prototype power forward with numbers to match at 27 points and 14 rebounds per game.
MAXPREPS NATIONAL JUNIOR OF THE YEAR
Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Fla.)
6-8 | 210 | Forward
LSU verbal commitPlaying alongside seven Division I-bound seniors, averaging 18.5 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for No. 2-ranked Eagles. As skilled and talented as any wing-forward prospect in high school basketball, regardless of age.
Diamond Stone, Dominican (Whitefish Bay, Wis.)
6-10 | 250 | CenterElite 2015 post prospect piled up 24.2 points and 13.2 rebounds per game, leading Dominican to 24-4 record and Division 4 state title.
SECOND TEAM
Esa Ahmad, Shaker Heights (Ohio)
6-7 | 220 | ForwardOhio's Division I co-Player of the Year had highly productive junior campaign, piling up 26.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
KeVaughn Allen, North Little Rock (Ark.)
6-3 | 170 | GuardArkansas Player of the Year led Charging Wildcats to second state title in a row, posting 21.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
Jalen Brunson, Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Ill.)
6-1 | 185 | GuardExploded for 56 points in state semifinals, led Stevenson to 32-2 record and averaged 26.1 points and 4.7 assists per game.
Deyonta Davis, Muskegon (Mich.)
6-9 | 215 | Center
Michigan State verbal commitDominant post presence for Michigan's unbeaten Class A state champs, averaging 15 points, 13.5 rebounds and 7.1 blocked shots per game.
Cheick Diallo, Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.)
6-9 | 220 | Forward-CenterBest known as dominant defender and bulk rebounder, also averaged more than 18 points per game.
THIRD TEAMPrince Ali, Sagemont (Weston, Fla.)
6-4 | 185 | Guard
Connecticut verbal commitCatalyst for Sagemont's dominant run through the Florida 3A state tournament, averaging around 20 points, six boards and three assists per game.
Jaylen Brown, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.)
6-6 | 205 | Guard-ForwardClass AAAAAA Player of the Year averaged more than 20 points and five assists per game, led Wildcats to state championship game.
Jalen Coleman, La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.)
6-3 | 175 | GuardDangerous scorer for nationally ranked Lakers, averaging team-best 19.2 points to go along with 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Shot 51 percent from 3-point range.
Chase Jeter, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
6-10 | 215 | Forward-CenterFirst team all-state selection contributed 14.7 points and 10.6 rebounds per game for Division I state champs.
Stephen Zimmerman, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)
6-10 | 225 | CenterClosed strong by helping Gaels win 20 in a row, averaged better than 15 points and 10 rebounds on the season.
FOURTH TEAM
Eric Davis, Arthur Hill (Saginaw, Mich.)
6-3 | 175 | GuardLatest star from basketball-rich community of Saginaw, Davis tallied 27 points, five rebounds and five assists per night.
Tyler Dorsey, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
6-4 | 180 | Guard
Arizona verbal commitBosco took lumps against challenging schedule but pulled together to win Division II state crown. Future Wildcat contributed 21.4 points, 6 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.
Jawun Evans, Kimball (Dallas)
6-0 | 165 | GuardSouth Carolina transfer hit ground running in Dallas, tallying 22.4 points and 8.1 assists per game for state championship team.
Brandon Ingram, Kinston (N.C.)
6-7 | 185 | Guard-ForwardScored 19.5 points and pulled down 9.1 rebounds per game for North Carolina's 2A state champions.
Allonzo Trier, Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.)
6-4 | 200 | GuardPoured in 36 points – including 26 in the second half – against Findlay Prep in December. Averaged 25.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game on the season.
FIFTH TEAM
Henry Ellenson, Rice Lake (Wis.)
6-9 | 250 | CenterFirst team all-state selection accumulated 27.2 points and 13.1 rebounds per game.
Admon Gilder, Madison (Dallas)
6-3 | 185 | GuardAveraged 23.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for Texas Class 3A state champions.
Montaque Gill-Ceasar, Huntington St. Joseph Prep (W.Va.)
6-7 | 205 | ForwardSecond-leading scorer for nationally ranked Fighting Irish, averaging 16.3 points per game to go along with 6.8 rebounds.
Brian Parker, Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland)
6-2 | 205 | Guard-ForwardOhio's Division III Player of the Year helped VASJ win state title with averages of 17.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.
Elijah Thomas, Lancaster (Texas)
6-8 | 240 | ForwardTeams with 6-9 sophomore Nate Morris to give Tigers massive front line. Averaged 17.8 points and 11.8 rebounds per game.
HONORABLE MENTION
Malik Beasley, St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.)
6-4 | 170 | GuardGrabbed Georgia Class A first team all-state honors and state title while averaging 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game.
Antonio Blakeney, Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.)
6-4 | 175 | GuardFilled it up to the tune of 25.2 points per game to go along with 5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
Carlton Bragg, Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland)
6-8 | 220 | ForwardWill be among nation's most highly recruited forwards in 2015 class. Posted 18.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for Division III state champs.
Tookie Brown, Morgan County (Madison, Ga.)
5-11 | 180 | GuardHigh expectations when playing for a coach named Charlemagne (Gibbons) and Class AAA Player of the Year surpassed them, averaging better than 25 points and three assists per game.
Thomas Bryant, Huntington St. Joseph Prep (W.Va.)
6-9 | 225 | ForwardHelped USA win FIBA Americas U16 gold last summer. Tallied 14.1 points and 13.1 rebounds per game over the winter for head coach Rob Fulford.
Hannif Cheathem, Pembroke Pines Charter (Fla.)
6-5 | 185 | GuardFlorida's 6A Player of the Year produced 26.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per outing.
Chris Clarke, Cape Henry Collegiate (Virginia Beach, Va.)
6-5 | 185 | GuardDolphins went 26-1 and reached VISAA Division 1 state title game thanks in part to his 18.2 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists per game.
Davon Dillard, Bowman Academy (Gary, Ind.)
6-5 | 195 | Guard-ForwardProduced 17.5 points, 7 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game in helping Bowman reach Indiana's 3A state championship game.
Andrew Fleming, Ensworth (Nashville, Tenn.)
6-5 | 200 | GuardEarned Division II-AA Mr. Basketball honors after leading Ensworth to its fourth state title in a row.
Austin Grandstaff, Rockwall (Texas)
6-4 | 195 | GuardHighly touted middle school player found his groove at high school level this winter, putting up 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.
Deion Holmes, Chesnee (S.C.)
6-3 | 185 | GuardClass 2A Player of the Year kept statistician busy, piling up 31.1 points and 12.4 rebounds per game.
Alex Illikainen, Grand Rapids (Minn.)
6-8 | 220 | ForwardAlready over 2,000 points for his career, productive forward put up 25.5 points per game to go along with more than 15 rebounds.
Derrick Jones, Archbishop Carroll (Radnor, Pa.)
6-6 | 180 | Guard-ForwardClass AAA first team all-state selection averaged 15.9 points per game, leading Patriots to 23 wins against challenging schedule.
K.J. Lawson, Hamilton (Memphis, Tenn.)
6-7 | 190 | Forward
Memphis verbal commitTeams with sophomore brother Dedric to give Hamilton a dynamic duo. Averaged more than 19 points and 11 rebounds per outing.
Chad Lott, Byrd (Shreveport, La.)
6-2 | 175 | GuardReceived Class 5A first team all-state nod after putting up 23 points per game and leading Byrd to 24 wins.
Dakota Mathias, Elida (Ohio)
6-5 | 190 | Guard
Purdue verbal commitShared Ohio Division II Player of the Year honors with All-American Luke Kennard after pouring in 27.7 points per game.
De'Jounte Murray, Rainier Beach (Seattle)
6-5 | 170 | GuardPosted a few triple-doubles and averaged more than 15 points per game for Washington's Class 3A state champions.
Kipper Nichols, St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)
6-7 | 200 | ForwardAveraged 18.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game for Ohio's Division I state champions.
Joshua Reaves, Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.)
6-3 | 180 | GuardRepresents stacked junior class for nationally ranked Panthers after averaging team-high 12.6 points per game.
Justin Simon, Temecula Valley (Temecula, Calif.)
6-5 | 190 | GuardAveraged 17.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, helping Golden Bears win 26 games – a 10-game improvement over 2012-13 total.
Re'Kwon Smith, Las Vegas (Nev.)
6-7 | 190 | ForwardEmerging talent was productive as junior, churning out 24.7 points, 6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per outing.
Daniel Tillo, Sioux City North (Iowa)
6-4 | 195 | GuardAlso a star quarterback, first team Class 4-A all-state pick put up 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per night.
Jimmy Whitt, Hickman (Columbia, Mo.)
6-3 | 165 | GuardClass 5 all-state pick notched 22.4 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 steals per game for 27-win Kewpies.
Joel Wincowski, Lake George (N.Y.)
6-2 | 180 | GuardAlready Lake George's all-time leading scorer, small-town sensation averaged 28.8 points, 9 rebounds, 5.6 steals and 4.3 assists per game.
