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.
Brandon McCoy of
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps California High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-5 senior guard led the Trailblazers to a 30-1 record and the Open Division state championship.
For the season, McCoy averaged 19.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals per contest while shooting 61.8 percent from the field.
MaxPreps California Player of the Year Brandon McCoy rises for a dunk during Sierra Canyon's state championship game victory. (PHOTO: Sam Stringer)
In a 78-70 victory over Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond) in the state final, McCoy finished with a team-high 20 points to go along with six rebounds, four blocks and three steals.
McCoy spent his previous three seasons at St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) before transferring to Sierra Canyon prior to the start of the year. He earned MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year honors after leading the Braves to a state title in 2023-24.
Regarded as the No. 11 prospect in the Class of 2026 according to Rivals, McCoy holds offers from Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Duke, Houston, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas and UCLA among others.
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 California Players of the Year
2019-20 – Jalen Green, Prolific Prep (Napa)
2020-21 – Amari Bailey, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth)
2021-22 – Donovan Dent, Centennial (Corona)
2022-23 – Jared McCain, Centennial
2023-24 – Trent Perry, Harvard-Westlake (Studio City)
2024-25 – Brayden Burries, Roosevelt (Easvale)
