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.
Dionte Neal of
Reidsville is the 2025-26 MaxPreps North Carolina Player of the Year. The 5-foot-9 senior guard led the Rams to a 23-2 record and an appearance in the Class 4A state championship game.
For the season, Neal averaged 34.7 points, 8.1 assists, 6.0 steals and 4.4 rebounds per contest while shooting over 60 percent from the field.
Dionte Neal established a new career-high with 63 points in a 103-73 victory over Hibriten. (FILE PHOTO: Jerrell Jordan)
In an 83-68 loss to Salisbury in the title game, Neal pumped in a game-high 38 points to go along with three steals.
Neal finished his career with 2,739 points, 1,103 assists (No. 16 all-time) and
645 steals (No. 10 all-time). He went 109-3 on the
hardwood at Reidsville with a pair of state championships, leading the
program to a 63-game win streak that ended in December 2025.
Also a star on the Reidsville football team, Neal led the Rams to the Class 4A state title this season. He accounted for 2,405 total yards and 36 touchdowns while recording seven interceptions defensively.
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 North Carolina Players of the Year
2019-20 – Jaden Bradley, Cannon (Concord)
2020-21 – Terquavion Smith, Farmville Central (Farmville)
2021-22 – Paul McNeil, Richmond (Rockingham)
2022-23 – Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg (Huntersville)
2023-24 – Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg
2024-25 – Dionte Neal, Reidsville
