Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school girls 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.
Sydney Benally of
Sandia (Albuquerque) is the 2024-25 New Mexico MaxPreps Player of the Year. A repeat selection, the 5-foot-9 senior guard led the Matadors to a 30-1 record and second straight Class 5A championship.
For the season, Benally averaged 20.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.2 steals per game.
Benally piled up 2,453 points, 762 rebounds and 434 assists in her four-year Sandia career, leading the Matadors to 97 wins over that span.
Regarded as a top 100 prospect in the Class of 2025 by
247Sports, Benally committed to BYU in December.
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 in April. Past selections include 2024 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson (2014) as well as 2024 All-WNBA first team picks Caitlin Clark (2020), Napheesa Collier (2015), Breanna Stewart (2012) and Alyssa Thomas (2010).
Past New Mexico MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — Juliana Aragon, Bernalillo
2022-23 — Bella Hines, Eldorado (Albuquerque)
2023-24 — Sydney Benally, Sandia (Albuquerque)
