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.
Jaylen Petty of
Rainier Beach (Seattle) is the 2024-25 Washington MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 6-foot senior guard led the Vikings to a 28-3 record and the Class 3A state championship – the program's 10th under head coach Mike Bethea.
During four Class 3A state tournament contests, Petty averaged 20.0 points per game. He helped the Vikings win by an average of 23.3 points per outing
in postseason action.
New Mexico signee Jaylen Petty won back-to-back Class 3A state titles with different schools. (PHOTO: Jann Hendry)
In a 68-48 win over Edmonds-Woodway (Edmonds) in the championship game, Petty pumped in 26 points. He was the MVP of the state tournament and named Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Mr. Basketball.
Petty scored a school-record 61 points in a 139-51 victory over Nathan Hale (Seattle) earlier in the season.
After playing for Rainier Beach as a freshman, Petty spent his sophomore and junior seasons at Auburn, where he averaged 22.7 points per contest over 45 games to surpass 1,000 career points with the program. He led the Trojans to the Class 3A state title last season.
Regarded as a top 150 prospect in the Class of 2025 by
247Sports, Petty signed with New Mexico in November over offers from eight other Division I programs.
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 Washington MaxPreps Players of the Year2019-20 – Paolo Banchero, O'Dea (Seattle)
2020-21 – Jackson Grant, Olympia
2021-22 – Tyler Bilodeau, Kamiakin (Kennewick)
2022-23 – Zoom Diallo, Curtis (University Place)
2023-24 – Jacob Cofie, Eastside Catholic (Sammamish)
