Connor Mebius named 2025-26 MaxPreps South Dakota High School Basketball Player of the Year

Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school basketball. The tradition continues to close out the 2025-26 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.

Connor Mebius of West Central (Hartford) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps South Dakota High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 5-foot-10 junior guard led the Trojans to a 25-0 record and their first state championship since 2001.

For the season, Mebius averaged 17.8 points, 5.5 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.5 steals per contest while shooting 52.4 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from 3-point range and 79.6 percent from the free throw line.

In a 66-56 victory over Sioux Falls Christian (Sioux Falls) in the Class A state title game, Mebius pumped in 18 of his game-high 20 points in the second half while shooting 6 of 7 from the field and 8 of 9 from the free throw line.

Mebius, who surpassed 1,000 career points late in the season, had a strong state tournament run with 25 points in an opening-round win over Cheyenne-Eagle Butte (Eagle Butte) and 22 points against Clark/Willow Lake (Clark) in the semifinals.

Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which is scheduled to be released in April. Past selections include 2026 NBA All-Stars Karl Anthony-Towns (2014), Scottie Barnes (2020), Devin Booker (2014), Jaylen Brown (2015), Jalen Brunson (2014, 2015), Cade Cunningham (2019, 2020), Kevin Durant (2006), Jalen Duren (2021), Anthony Edwards (2019), De'Aaron Fox (2016), Chet Holmgren (2020, 2021), Brandon Ingram (2015), Jalen Johnson (2019), Tyrese Maxey (2019) and Norman Powell (2011).

2023-24 – Griffen Goodbary, Sioux Falls Christian (Sioux Falls)

2024-25 – Griffen Goodbary, Sioux Falls Christian