Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in
high school 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.
Omaha Biliew of
Waukee is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Iowa High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-8 senior forward led the Warriors to a 22-3 record and a trip to the Class 4A state semifinals.
Biliew averaged 22.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game on the season, helping Waukee win 14 in a row down the stretch before falling one victory shy of the state championship game.
As a sophomore, Biliew helped Waukee win a state title before spending his junior year at Link Academy in Missouri.
Regarded as a top 20 prospect in the Class of 2023 according to 247Sports, Biliew was selected to participate in the McDonald's All American Game. He will continue his basketball career next year at Iowa State, choosing the Cyclones over offers from Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska and Tennessee among others.
Tamin Lipsey of
Ames was the 2021-22 Iowa Player of the Year.
Currently a freshman at Iowa State, Lipsey averaged 15.9 points, 6.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 2.5 steals to guide the Little Cyclones to the Class 4A 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 2023 NBA All-Stars Bam Adebayo (2016),
Jaylen Brown (2015), DeMar DeRozan (2008), Kevin Durant (2006), Anthony
Edwards (2019), De'Aaron Fox (2016), Jrue Holiday (2008), Jaren Jackson
(2017), Kyrie Irving (2010), Julius Randle (2013), Jayson Tatum (2016)
and Zion Williamson (2018).
