ZaKiyah Johnson keeps adding to a growing legacy. The
Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.) standout is the 2022-23 MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year, one season after being named the country's top freshman. She has already won two Kentucky titles — no small feat as the Bluegrass State throws everyone in one bracket to battle for a single banner.
Johnson scored 853 points this season, averaging 21.9 per game, while leading the Valkyries to a 36-3 mark, Including her seventh- and eighth-grade seasons, she's already topped the 2,000-point mark and is one of the most coveted Class of 2025 recruits with national powerhouses like Connecticut, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and South Carolina extending offers.
Our choice for MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year leads a cast of 30 student-athletes from the Class of 2025 who made significant contributions to their squads, some of whom were nationally-ranked or won state titles.
Selections are based on team success, individual production and local, regional and state honors from the recently-completed season. Potential at the college and professional level is not a primary consideration. Players in post-graduate and non-scholastic programs are not eligible for inclusion.
First Team
6-1 | Forward | UndecidedThe second sophomore to win Miss Ohio Basketball averaged 25.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game. Alexander had 28 points (including 24 in the second half), 13 rebounds and 6 assists in the Division II regional championship win that sent Purcell Marian to the state final four for the third consecutive year.
Sienna Betts, Grandview (Aurora, Colo.)
6-3 | Post | UndecidedThe sister of former MaxPreps All-American Lauren Betts is carving her own path, leading the Wolves to a 19-9 mark and 6A title. Sienna Betts was Miss Colorado Basketball while averaging 21.4 points, 16.5 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per night.
Aaliyah Chavez, Monterey (Lubbock, Texas)
5-9 | Guard | UndecidedWith offers from more than 15 schools including Louisville, North Carolina and UCLA, the floor general averaged 30.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.1 steals per game. She helped the team to a 32-4 record and the 5A regional finals.
Jazzy Davidson, Clackamas (Ore.)
6-1 | Forward | UndecidedOne of three sophomores on the MaxPreps All-American team, she helped the Cavaliers to a 26-4 record and the Class 6A state championship. For the season, Davidson averaged 21.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.5 assists per game. She was the Mt. Hood Conference Player of the Year and helped Clackamas go unbeaten against in-state competition en route to the program's first state crown.
MAXPREPS NATIONAL SOPHOMORE OF THE YEAR
ZaKiyah Johnson, Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky.)
6-1 | Forward | UndecidedLast year's MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year showed no signs of a sophomore letdown as she averaged 21.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in leading the Valkyries to a Kentucky state championship.
Second Team
5-11 | Guard | OklahomaThe Bronchos went 30-1 while grabbing the 4A title, the school's first girls basketball championship, behind 18.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.4 assists per game from the future Sooner. She dropped 21 in the final to bring home the banner for Bethany.
Leah Macy, Mercy (Louisville, Ky.)
6-2 | Forward | UndecidedAveraged 25.0 points per game for 25-10 and state quarterfinals. She had 37 and 30 in two playoff games for the Jaguars. Holds offers from Arizona, Louisville, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State and Louisville.
Keeley Parks, Norman (Okla.)
5-11 | Guard | UndecidedInvited to the inaugural USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team mini-camp for freshmen, sophomores and juniors, she helped the Tigers to a 23-5 season while averaging 20.3 points, 4.5 assist, 4.4 rebounds and 5.4 steals.
Mia Pauldo, Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.)
5-5 | Guard | UndecidedHelped guide the Crusaders to a state Non-Public B title, 28-3 record and No. 5 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25. She will be able to show her game to a national audience at the State Champions Invitational this weekend, looking to add to her 18.9, 7.4 assist, 7.0 rebounds and 3.9 steals per game averages.
Kira Reynolds, South Bend Washington (South Bend, Ind.)
6-3 | Center | UndecidedThe Panthers went 27-1, losing only in the state final. Reynolds averaged 16.1 points, 12.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists with 18 double-doubles over the course of the season.
Third Team
6-0 | Forward| TennesseeThe Cardinals sensation averaged 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists as her squad went 16-15 in the ultra-competitive WCAC. She dropped double figures in points in all but two games this season with a high of 37 in February in a 107-32 win.
Aaliyah Crump, Minnetonka (Minn.)
6-0 | Guard | UndecidedThe all-state choice averaged 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game as the Skippers went 17-10. Crump is getting looks from Division I programs like Baylor, Michigan, Ohio State and Texas.
5-9 | Guard | North Carolina
A VHSL first team all-state selection, the Tar Heel verbal commit helped the Rapids to an 18-4 mark and regional quarterfinals appearance. She averaged better than 28 points while adding 6.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists per night.
Bella Hines, Eldorado (Albuquerque, N.M.)
5-9 | Guard | UndecidedThe state's leading scorer, she averaged 30.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game for the 14-14 Golden Eagles. In two seasons at Eldorado, she has piled up 1,432 points in addition to over 300 rebounds and 150 steals.
Aliyahna Morris, Etiwanda (Calif.)
5-5 | Guard | UndecidedThe floor general for the No. 3 team in the MaxPreps Top 25, Morris averaged 17.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists as the Eagles went 32-3 and won the CIF Open Division title.
Honorable Mention
5-11 | Guard | UndecidedA two-sport athlete, she helped the Lions to an unbeaten season and AAA state title. Beckham averaged 16.1 points, 5.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game while Hebron went 32-0.
Addison Deal, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
6-1 | Wing | UndecidedThe Trinity League Player of the Year and O.C. Register Player of the Year made a difference for the 29-4 Monarchs averaging 15.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.0 assists.
Madison Francis, Lancaster (N.Y.)
6-1 | Forward | UndecidedLed the 20-4 Legends in points (22.0) and rebounds (12.1) as they reached the Class AA regionals. A member of the 1,000-point club already, she has offers from Clemson, Florida, Purdue and Syracuse among others.
Journey Houston, Davenport North (Davenport, Iowa)
5-11 | Guard | UndecidedAveraged 18.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 2.6 assists for the 21-3 Wildcats. Houston, who got her first scholarship offer before high school from Iowa, led Davenport North to the 5A quarterfinals this season.
Destiny Jackson, Whitney Young (Chicago)
5-6 | Point guard | UndecidedThe Dolphins went 26-6 and reached the 4A sectional final. She averaged 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.6 steals per game.
Marcayla Johnson, Booker T. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.)
6-0 | Guard | UndecidedThe Hornets went 20-7 and reached the 6A quarterfinals behind Johnson, who averaged 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
Ayla McDowell, Cypress Springs (Cypress, Texas)
6-2 | Wing | UndecidedHelped the Panthers to a 31-9 mark and a deep run in the Class 6A tournament. For the year, she averaged a team-leading 17.8 points and 6.8 boards per night.
Jasmine Nivar, Apex Friendship (Apex, N.C.)
5-10 | Guard | UndecidedDropped double-digit points in all but four games this season for the 23-6 Patriots. She averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 boards, 2.9 assists and 2.8 steals per game.
Madison Parrish, Mason (Ohio)
5-11 | Point guard | UndecidedA third-team Division I all-state pick, she helped the Comets to a 25-2 mark. She averaged 13.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals.
Sania Richardson, Ada (Okla.)
5-4 | Point guard | UndecidedPlays bigger than her height, averaging 26.6 points, 5.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 steals as the Cougars went 19-9 this season. She dropped 30 points seven times this season and twice topped the 40-point mark.
Emilee Skinner, Ridgeline (Millville, Utah)
5-11 | Guard | UndecidedThe Deseret News 4A Player of the Year, she averaged 21 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.8 steals. She shot 65 percent from the field as the RiverHawks went unbeaten and won the 4A title, the school's first.
L.A. Sneed, Wagner (San Antonio, Texas)
5-7 | Point guard | UndecidedThe Thunderbirds reached the UIL 5A semifinals behind 18.0 points a night from Sneed. She added 6.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 4.7 steals as her squad went 29-5.
Jordan Speiser, Lutheran (St. Peters, Mo.)
6-1 | Wing | UndecidedA Class 5A all-state selection, she averaged 16.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists as the Cougars went 27-5 and won the Class 5 title.
Hailee Swain, Holy Innocents Episcopal (Atlanta)
5-9 | Point guard | UndecidedThe Golden Bears reached the AAAA semifinals, finishing 25-5 as Swain averaged 20.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 2.3 assists.
Rainey Welson, Hortonville (Wis.)
5-9 Guard | UndecidedAveraged a team-leading 19.3 points and 4.7 assists while adding 4.9 rebounds as the Polar Bears went 26-4 and reached the Division I semifinals.
