Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding
performers in high school girls 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.
Eve Long of
Olathe South (Olathe) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps Kansas High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3
junior forward led the Falcons to a 20-5 record and Class 6A
quarterfinal appearance.
For the season, Long averaged
32.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. She will enter her senior campaign with 1,518 career points.
Olathe South junior Eve Long scored should reach 2,000 career points next season as she decides between college basketball powers Connecticut, Duke, Kansas, Notre Dame and UCLA. (PHOTO: Mike Cerny)
Regarded as a top 10 prospect in the Class of 2027, Long has narrowed her college choices down to Connecticut, Duke, Kansas, Notre Dame and UCLA.
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 2025 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja
Wilson (2014) along with 2025 All-WNBA selections Aliyah Boston (2017,
2018, 2019), Paige Bueckers (2018, 2019), Napheesa Collier (2015),
Sabrina Ionescu (2015, 2016), Kelsey Mitchell (2014), Nneka Ogwumike
(2008), Alyssa Thomas (2010) and Jackie Young (2014, 2015).
Past Kansas MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — Zyanna Walker, Heights (Wichita)
2022-23 — Addy Brown, Derby
2023-24 — Jaliya Davis, Blue Valley North (Overland Park)
2024-25 — Jaliya Davis, Blue Valley North
