MaxPreps 2019-20 High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Cade Cunningham

Montverde Academy's Cade Cunningham is the 2019-20 MaxPreps Player of the Year, edging out contenders Jalen Green of Prolific Prep and teammate Scottie Barnes.

Cunningham was the catalyst for one of high school basketball all-time great teams, guiding Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) to a 25-0 record with an average margin of victory of 39 points.

An unselfish mindset spread the production around for the Eagles, as seven players averaged 8.3 or more points per game. Cunningham was clearly the most productive player for the national champions, averaging 13.9 points, 6.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds per contest with a plus-minus of 30.8 points per game.

Although Cunningham's numbers don't jump off the page, the top-ranked senior prospect played an average of 22 minutes per outing, tied for a team-high. His minutes were often limited due to a deep Eagles rotation that typically played with lopsided scores.

Averaged to a 32-minute per game total, Cunningham's totals were 20.2 points, 9.3 assists, 6.1 rebounds and two steals per game.

Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year

Overall, Montverde Academy beat seven ranked opponents — No. 5 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), No. 10 Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.), No. 12 Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.), No. 19 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) (three times) and No. 20 Duncanville (Texas).

The Eagles competed against the toughest schedule of any team this season, capturing event titles at the City of Palms Classic, John Wall Holiday Invitational, Montverde Academy Invitational and St. James Invitational, while also competing in the Spalding Hoophall Classic, Metro Classic and National Hoopfest.

In the City of Palms Classic, Cunningham's impact was felt much deeper than his averages of 12 points, 6.8 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game. In four games against quality national opponents, Cunningham averaged a higher plus-minus than minutes per game, with an average of 26.5 in over 24 minutes of action per contest.

While displaying his ability to dominate top competition, Cunningham also showed an improved efficiency from the field, shooting 59.2 percent from the field this season and an impressive 47.7 percent from 3-point range.

The 6-foot-6 combo-guard is regarded as the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2020 with a unique skill-set that puts him at the top of projected 2021 NBA Draft boards. Cunningham is signed with Oklahoma State with expectations of a big-time freshman year for the potential one-and-done.