As the 2023-24 high school basketball season enters its final weeks, some of the nation's top players continue to shine and strengthen their resume for postseason accolades.
Among those is MaxPreps National Player of the Year, which will be announced April 10. Past winners include Lonzo Ball, Kevin Love, Michael Porter Jr. and Ben Simmons (see the complete list dating back to 2006 below). Today, we narrow the list of candidates to join that list and capture the nation's highest honor to five.
6-8 | Senior | Wing | Rutgers
Regarded as the No. 2 prospect in the Class of 2024 according to 247Sports, Bailey is averaging 32.5 points, 15.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game through four postseason games to guide No. 12 McEachern to the Class AAAAAAA state title game.
6-9 | Junior | Forward | Uncommitted
Reigning MaxPreps National Player of the Year is having another impressive season for the top-ranked team in the MaxPreps Top 25. He is averaging 22.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.0 blocks per
contest this season to lead the Explorers to the Class 7A state semfinals.
6-9 | Junior | Wing | Uncommitted
Top-ranked junior prospect averaged 20.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per contest while shooting 58 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range and 76 percent from the free throw line during 34 regular season games. Prolific Prep is ranked No. 3 in the National Top 10.
6-9 | Senior | Wing | Duke
Top-ranked senior prospect is averaging 16.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.7 blocks per contest while shooting 55 percent from the field, 35 percent from 3-point range and 78 percent from the free throw line to lead top-ranked Montverde Academy to a 30-0 record.
6-6 | Senior | Guard | Rutgers
In leading Don Bosco Prep to a 3-1 record against four nationally-ranked opponents at the City of Palms Classic in December, Harper averaged 30.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 86.1 percent from the free throw line. He is regarded as the No. 3 prospect in the senior class by 247Sports and has the Ironmen playing for a state title later this week.
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2006 — Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
2007 — Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Lake Oswego, Ore.)
2008 — Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2009 — Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Atlanta)
2010 — Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa)
2011 — Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2012 — Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
2013 — Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2014 — Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2015 — Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2016 — Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.)
2017 — Michael Porter Jr., Nathan Hale (Seattle)
2018 — R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy
2019 — Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
2020 — Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy
2021 — Chet Holmgren, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis)
2022 — Dariq Whitehead, Montverde Academy
2023 — Cameron Boozer, Columbus (Miami)
