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.
V.J. Edgecombe of
Long Island Lutheran (Brookville) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps New York High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-5 junior wing led the Crusaders to a 22-2 record and the Federation Class AA state championship.
On the season, Edgecombe averaged 15.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals per contest to guide the Crusaders to the No. 3 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 and the No. 2 seed at upcoming GEICO Nationals.
V.J. Edgecombe drives past a Bishop Walsh defender at the Metro Classic in February. (Photo: Catalina Fragoso)
Edgecombe was named Player of the Year in the National Interscholastic Basketball Conference this season after leading the conference in scoring with 17.3 points per contest through 12 games while shooting 48 percent from the field, 43 percent from 3-point range and 77 percent from the free throw line.
Regarded as the No. 43 prospect in the Class of 2024 according to 247Sports, the four-star junior holds offers from Miami, Mississippi State, Ohio State, St. John's and Villanova among others.
Tobe Awaka of
Cardinal Hayes (Bronx) was the 2021-22 New York Player of the
Year.
Currently a freshman at the University of Tennessee, Awaka averaged 17.6 points and 14 rebounds to guide the Cardinals to the Class AA title and the No. 7 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25.
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).
