Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school girls basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2022-23 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.
Brooklyn Harpe of
Washington (Sioux Falls) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps South Dakota High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 5-foot-11 senior guard led the Warriors to a record of 21-3 and the Class AA state championship.
Harpe averaged 18.0 points, 11.4 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game while picking up 15 double-doubles this season. In the title game, Harpe had 21 points to spur a 54-36 victory over Riggs.
Washington went 43-5 in Harpe's final two years with a pair of state titles. She will continue her career next season at the University of Sioux Falls.
Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda of Washington was the 2021-22 MaxPreps South Dakota Player of the Year. Now a freshman at Texas, Mwenentanda averaged 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game while leading the Warriors to a 22-2 record and the Class AA state title.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in April. Past selections include 2022 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson (2014) as well as 2022 All-WNBA picks Skylar Diggins-Smith (2009), Sabrina Ionescu (2016), Jonquel Jones (2012), Nneka Ogwumike (2008), Kelsey Plum (2013), Breanna Stewart (2012) and Alyssa Thomas (2010).
