Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in prep girls basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2023-24 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.
Zamareya Jones of
North Pitt (Bethel) is the 2023-24 North Carolina MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 5-foot-8 senior guard led the Panthers to a 29-3 record and Class 2A state championship.
For the season, Jones averaged 25.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.2 steals per game. She shot 56 percent from the field with a high of 41 points in a 60-54 win over Charlotte Catholic (Charlotte) in late December.
Zamareya Jones of North Pitt is the 2023-24 North Carolina MaxPreps Player of the Year. The North Carolina State commit averaged 25.3 points per game as the Panthers went 29-3 with a Class 2A title. (Photo: Jerrell Jordan)
In a 76-66 win over East Burke (Connelly Springs) in the state final, Jones posted 21 points, 14 rebounds and five assists despite battling foul trouble.
A 2,000-point career scorer, Jones has led North Pitt to a 56-6 record over the past two seasons with a final four appearance in 2023 in addition to this season's title.
Regarded as a top 20 prospect in the Class of 2024, Jones signed with North Carolina State in November over offers from Alabama, Georgia, Florida State and Mississippi State among others.
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 11. Past selections include 2023 WNBA Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart (2012) as well as 2023 All-WNBA first team picks Napheesa Collier (2015), Alyssa Thomas (2010) and A'ja Wilson (2014).
Past North Carolina MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — Indya Nivar, Apex Friendship (Apex)
2022-23 — Sarah Strong, Grace Christian (Sanford)
