Video: Vernon Carey Jr. highlights See the University standout and MaxPreps Junior Player of the Year in action.
High School basketball season has just started for the majority of programs, with some states still in preseason mode until mid-December.
With the season underway for most, it's never too early in the year to take a look at the MaxPreps National Player of the Year watch list.
Here is our initial list of 20 names (alphabetically) that are expected to have a monumental year after fast starts to their 2018-19 campaign.
MaxPrep National Player of the Year Watch List
6-foot-9 | Senior | Forward | Uncommitted
Averaging 16 points per game through his first two games for a balanced top-ranked Eagles team looking to repeat as GEICO Nationals champions.
6-3 | Senior | Guard | Uncommitted
Averaging triple-double with 13.6 points, 12.6 assists and 10.1 rebounds per contest for the 8-0 Warriors.
6-7 | Senior | Forward | Uncommitted
An impressive start to his Lakers' career, going off for 40 points in an 88-65 win over Indianapolis Crispus Attucks (Indianapolis, Ind.) and leading No. 8 La Lumiere in scoring through four games.
6-10 | Senior | Forward | Uncommitted
MaxPreps Junior National Player of the Year has shown why he's a National Player of the Year front-runner, posting 29 points, 16 rebounds and 33 points, 17 rebounds in his last two outings. The versatile big man will make his highly anticipated college decision Thursday between Duke, North Carolina and Michigan State.
6-0 | Junior | Guard | Uncommitted
He will be the catalyst for the Indians as they look to capture their first ever state championship. His early season play has been impressive, starting the season with a 16-point, fourth quarter in a comeback win.
Now regarded as the top prospect in the class of 2019, according to 247Sports, after his recent re-classification. Edwards has backed up that ranking with his early season play, including an incredible 31-point performance in a 78-75 loss to McEachern.
Joseph Girard III, Glens Falls (N.Y.)6-2 | Senior | Guard | Syracuse
A slow start for his standards, Girard is averaging 37.5 points per game through his first two games of his senior year, giving him 3,381 points in his legendary career. Each point this season will further shatter the New York high school basketball career scoring record set by the marksman last season.
Jalen Green, San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.)6-6 | Junior | Guard | Uncommitted
Jalen Green had one of the most spectacular performances of the early season, dropping 46 points and hitting the game winning shot in an 81-80 win over Rockwall (Texas) at the Dallas Hoopfest Showcase.
6-6 | Junior | Guard | Uncommitted
He may be hampered by the success of his team as Little Elm sits at 7-5, but his play has been spectacular and earns him a spot on the watch list nonetheless.
Matthew Hurt, John Marshall (Rochester, Minn.)6-9 | Senior | Forward | Uncommitted
His senior season begins on Dec. 6 against Mankato East (Mankato, Minn.). The first team MaxPreps Junior All-American averaged 33.9 points, 15 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game last season.
E.J. Liddell, Belleville West (Belleville, Ill.)6-7 | Senior | Forward | Ohio State
Completely and utterly dominant in early season play for No. 14 Belleville West, he led the Maroons to two quality wins over the weekend. Liddell exploded for 42 points and 18 rebounds in a 77-60 win over Madison-North Hopkins.
Nico Mannion, Pinnacle (Phoenix)6-3 | Senior | Guard | Arizona
Averaging 26.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists, while leading Pinnacle into the national rankings after dropping 37 points and a deep, game-winning 3-pointer to knock off Shadow Mountain.
6-11 | Senior | Forward | Uncommitted
He's set for a monster senior season after rising into the top 5 in the national rankings over the summer. Look for the elite prospect to challenge for the No. 1 spot in the senior class.
7-0 | Senior | Center | Uncommitted
He showed why he's widely regarded as the No. 1 player in the class of 2020 at the Battlezone tournament last week, dropping 27 points in the semifinals and posting 13 points, 10 rebounds and 9 blocks in the title game.
6-6 | Senior | Guard | Duke
Off to a strong start to his senior season, he's averaging 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per contest through his first three outings. The Duke-bound star is in search of his third consecutive state championship.
6-5 | Senior | Guard | Uncommitted
A catalyst for the No. 4 team in the nation early. Although the Trailblazers have yet to meet a real test, Stanley has provided consistency leading the potent offense.
6-3 | Junior | Guard | Uncommitted
A scoring machine this season, he's averaging 30.4 points per game for the Warriors through eight games. The elite junior caught fire against Northside Christian, scoring 41 points and going 7-of-9 from beyond the arc.
6-7 | Senior | Wing | Gonzaga
No. 18 Gonzaga Prep opened their 2018-19 campaign with a 64-44 win over Mt. Spokane. Watson nearly outscored their opponents himself, dropping 36 points in a dominant performance for the Bullpups.
6-9 | Senior | Forward | Uncommitted
Despite the Spartans dropping from the national Top 25 rankings after a tough loss, Watford has played at an elite level deserving of player of the year consideration.
6-11 | Senior | Center | Memphis
He's been dominant down low to start the season. Last week, the top ranked big man in the senior class went off for 31 points and 24 rebounds in a career night for the Memphis pledge.
