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.
Fischer Brown of
Fergus (Lewistown) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Montana High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-5 junior guard led the Golden Eagles to a 24-0 record and the Class A state championship.
For the season, Brown averaged 23.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.6 steals per game. He poured in a career-high 54 points during a February win over Hardin.
Brown's efforts helped spur a dominant season for Fergus. The Golden Eagles outscored opponents by an average of nearly 25 points per game with only three contests decided by 10 points or less.
Brayden Koch of
Capital (Helena) was the 2021-22 Montana Player of the Year.
Currently a freshman at Carroll College, Koch averaged 21.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 steals and assists last season to help the Bruins capture their first state title since 2014.
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).
