Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school basketball. The tradition continues to close out the 2024-25 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.
Koa Peat of
Perry (Gilbert) is the 2024-25 Arizona MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 6-foot-8 senior forward led the Pumas to a 27-2 record and their fourth consecutive state championship.
For the season, Peat averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest for nationally-ranked Perry.
Arizona Player of the Year Koa Peat celebrates his team's historic run to a fourth consecutive state title. (PHOTO: Jack Beasley)
Peat finished his career with a record of 107-14 with the Pumas and laid it all on the line during their postseason, playing through a recently-broken bone in his shooting hand in the semifinals and title game.
After missing the quarterfinals, Peat returned to score 16 points in a 76-57 semifinal victory over O'Connor (Phoenix) before finishing with 20 points in a 63-44 triumph against Sunnyslope (Phoenix) in the title game.
Peat is regarded as the No. 8 prospect in the Class of 2025 by
247Sports. He is expected to decide between Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston and Texas later this month.
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 8. Past selections include 2023-24 All-NBA picks Devin Booker (2014), Jalen Brunson (2014, 2015), Anthony Davis (2011), Kevin Durant (2006), Anthony Edwards (2019) and Jayson Tatum (2014, 2015, 2016).
Past Arizona MaxPreps Players of the Year2019-20 – DaRon Holmes, Millennium (Goodyear)
2020-21 – TyTy Washington, AZ Compass Prep (Chandler)
2021-22 – Nate Calmese, Mesquite (Gilbert)
2022-23 – Koa Peat, Perry (Gilbert)
2023-24 – Koa Peat, Perry
