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.
David Lunn of
Volcano Vista (Albuquerque) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps New Mexico High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-4 junior guard led the Hawks to a 26-5 record and their fifth consecutive state championship.
For the season, Lunn averaged 20.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 54.4 percent from the field and 72.0 percent from the free throw line.
In a 66-52 victory over Cleveland (Rio Ranch) in the Class 5A title game, Lunn tallied a team-high 23 points while shooting 8 of 10 from the field and 7 of 7 from the free throw line. He also piled up a game-high 24 points in a 49-42 win over La Cueva (Albuquerque) in the semifinals.
Lunn has been a starter and key contributor for the program since his freshman season, helping Volcano Vista compile an 85-8 record during that span. He scored 14 points in the state title game as a freshman and had a team-high 19 points in the title game last year as a sophomore.
Despite not playing football, Lunn received an offer from Penn State to suit up on the gridiron. He holds basketball offers from Howard, New Mexico State and West Virginia.
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).
Past MaxPreps New Mexico Players of the Year
2019-20 – Joziah Ramos, Atrisco Heritage Academy (Albuquerque)
2020-21 – William Benjamin, Las Cruces
2021-22 – William Benjamin, Las Cruces
2022-23 – Shane Douma-Sanchez, Del Norte (Albuquerque)
2023-24 – Kenyon Aguino, Volcano Vista (Albuquerque)
2024-25 – Kenyon Aguino, Volcano Vista
