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.
A repeat selection,
Leelee Bell of
Minot is the 2025-26 MaxPreps North Dakota High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3 senior point guard led the Magicians to a 26-1 record and the Division AA state championship.
For the season, Bell averaged 28.0 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.5 assists per game. She finished with 3,159 points, good for second on the state's career scoring list.
In a 72-61 win over Davies (Fargo) in the state final, Bell tallied 34 points and 12 rebounds to go out as a two-time champion. She also led the Magicians to a title in 2022 as an eighth-grader.
Regarded as a top 50 prospect in the Class of 2026, Bell signed with Oklahoma in November.
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 MaxPreps North Dakota Players of the Year2021-22 — Logan Nissley, Century (Bismarck)
2022-23 — Logan Nissley, Century
2023-24 — Jocelyn Schiller, Red River (Grand Forks)
2024-25 — Leelee Bell, Minot
