Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in
high school basketball. America's source for high school sports
continues the tradition to close out the 2022-23 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.
Koa Peat of
Perry (Gilbert) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Arizona High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-8 sophomore forward led the Pumas to a record of 30-1 and their second consecutive state championship.
Peat averaged 19.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals while shooting 64.9 percent from inside the arc, 23 percent from 3-point range and 70 percent from the field.
Koa Peat has led Perry to a 55-6 record with a pair of state titles in his first two seasons. (Photo: Steve Paynter)
Regarded as the No. 3 prospect in the Class of 2025 according to 247Sports, Peat tallied a game-high 35 points, six rebounds and four blocks in Perry's 74-58 state title game victory over Sunnyslope (Phoenix).
Nate Calmese of
Mesquite (Gilbert) was the 2021-22 Arizona Player of the Year.
Currently a freshman at Lamar University, Calmese averaged 31.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists last season to guide the Wildcats to their first state title in school history.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for
inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in
April. Past selections include 2023 NBA All-Stars Bam Adebayo (2016),
Jaylen Brown (2015), DeMar DeRozan (2008), Kevin Durant (2006), Anthony
Edwards (2019), De'Aaron Fox (2016), Jrue Holiday (2008), Jaren Jackson
(2017), Kyrie Irving (2010), Julius Randle (2013), Jayson Tatum (2016)
and Zion Williamson (2018).
