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.
Carter Curnow and
Kyler Engellant of
Beaverhead County (Dillon) are the 2024-25 Montana MaxPreps Players of the Year. The senior duo led the Beavers to a 23-1 record and their second consecutive Class A state championship.
For the season, Engellant averaged 19.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.2 blocked shots per contest. Curnow averaged 15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.3 steals per outing.
In a 51-46 victory over Lockwood in the Class A state title game, Curnow pumped in a team-high 20 points to go along with five rebounds while Engellant contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds to anchor the paint.
Engellant, a 6-foot-6 forward, is committed to Montana Western. Curnow, a 6-4 guard and 1,000-point scorer, is signed to play football at Montana State.
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 Montana MaxPreps Players of the Year2019-20 – Rollie Worster, Hellgate (Missoula)
2020-21 – Alex Germer, Sentinel (Missoula)
2021-22 – Brayden Koch, Capital (Helena)
2022-23 – Fischer Brown, Fergus (Lewistown)
2023-24 – Reynolds Johnston, Loyola-Sacred Heart (Missoula)
