MaxPreps National Player of the Year finalists

Video: National Player of the Year candidates
Who will bring home the nation's highest honor in April?

As the season winds down and teams continue postseason play, the MaxPreps National Player of the Year race begins to come into focus with six finalists remaining. The announcement will be made in early April.

Past winners include Lonzo Ball, Michael Porter Jr. and Ben Simmons. See the complete list of past winners below and read on for a look at this year's six finalists.

Player of the Year Finalists

R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
6-6 | Senior | Wing

The clubhouse leader for top honors entering the final month of his high school basketball career. The future Duke Blue Devil has led No. 1 Montverde Academy to an undefeated 32-0 regular season. He helped preserve the team's perfect mark with clutch plays down the stretch of close wins over Simeon (Chicago) and Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.).

Joseph Girard III, Glens Falls (N.Y.)
6-1 | Junior | Guard

Girard is the hottest name in high school hoops after breaking New York's all-time scoring record as junior. He's recently received offers from Duke, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Rutgers and Syracuse. He led Glen Falls to a 20-3 record, averaging 50 points per game and knocking down 179 3-pointers. While his 3,306 career points were enough to pass Lance Stephenson for the Empire State record, the all-time national scoring mark appears safe as Greg Procell's 6,702 points seem untouchable.

Kyree Walker, Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix)
6-5 | Sophomore | Guard

The youngest player among the finalists, Walker has helped Hillcrest Prep to a 25-7 mark with averages 24.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.3 blocks per game. The Arizona State commit has tormented defenses all season with his most impressive performance coming in mid-December when he went off for 50 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, four steals and four blocks.

Ja'Vonte Smart, Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.)
6-4 | Senior | Guard

Smart is on a mission this season, posting incredible scoring totals of 62, 59 and 55 points. The future LSU Tiger is averaging 32.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.2 steals per game for a Scotlandville team hoping to repeat as state champions.

Ashton Hagans, Newton (Covington, Ga.)
6-3 | Junior | Guard

After beginning the year at Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), Hagans returned home and is averaging a near triple-double with 20 points, 11 assists and eight boards per night. The coveted guard recently opened up his recruitment from Georgia, becoming the top available guard on the market after announcing his intent to reclassify after playing on the AAU circuit this summer. Newton sits at 27-3 and is in the Georgia 7A state semifinals this weekend.

Romeo Langford, New Albany (Ind.)
6-5 | Senior | Guard

Langford averaged 36.8 points per game while leading the Bulldogs to a 21-1 regular season. His 2,851 points are 283 points away from the all-time state scoring record with a potential of six games remaining if New Albany can make a run to the 4A state championship game. Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2017 — Michael Porter Jr., Nathan Hale (Seattle)
2016 — Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.)
2015 — Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy
2014 — Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2013 — Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2012 — Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
2011 — Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2010 — Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa)
2009 — Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Atlanta)
2008 — Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2007 — Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Ore.)
2006 — Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis.)