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.
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Sandia (Albuquerque) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps New Mexico High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The 5-foot-7 sophomore point guard led the Matadors to a 25-4 record and Class 5A state quarterfinals.
For the season, Benally averaged 17.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.5 steals and 5.7 assists per game. She finished the season five points shy of 1,000 for her career.
In a 59-40 win over Albuquerque Academy (Albuquerque) in December, Benally scored a season-high 31 points to go along with 11 steals, six rebounds and four assists. She flirted with triple-doubles and even quadruple-doubles all season long, including 17 points, 12 rebounds and nine steals in a playoff win over Manzano (Albuquerque).
Kaiyah is continuing the Benally family legacy at Sandia. Her sister Sydney, now starring at BYU, won MaxPreps New Mexico Player of the Year honors in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
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 New Mexico Players of the Year2021-22 — Juliana Aragon, Bernalillo
2022-23 — Bella Hines, Eldorado (Albuquerque)
2023-24 — Sydney Benally, Sandia (Albuquerque)
2024-25 — Sydney Benally, Sandia
