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.
Mahli Abdouch of
O'Gorman (Sioux Falls) is the 2023-24 South Dakota MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 5-foot-8 senior guard led the Knights to a 24-0 record and Class AA state championship.
For the season, Abdouch averaged 16.3 points, 3.7 assists, 3.4 steals and 3.1 rebounds per game. She shot 64.6 percent from the field with a high of 24 points in a 54-35 win over Tea in late January.
A two-time all-state selection, Abdouch has led O'Gorman to an 81-15 record in her four years in the program.
Abdouch signed with South Dakota State in November.
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 South Dakota MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, Washington (Sioux Falls)
2022-23 — Brooklyn Harpe, Washington (Sioux Falls)
