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.
Will Gerdes of
Cedar Falls is the 2025-26 MaxPreps Iowa High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-9 senior forward led the Tigers to a 25-0 record and Class 4A state championship.
For the season, Gerdes averaged 21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 blocked shots per game while shooting 75.6 percent from the field and 41.0 percent from 3-point range.
In a 56-48 victory over Johnston in the Class 4A state title game, Gerdes scored a team-high 19 points to go with seven rebounds.
Gerdes piled up over 1,200 points in his career. He signed with Northern Iowa over offers from Bryant, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Youngstown State.
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 Iowa Players of the Year
2019-20 – Bowen Born, Norwalk
2020-21 – Tucker Devries, Waukee
2021-22 – Tamin Lipsey, Ames
2022-23 – Omaha Biliew, Waukee
2023-24 – Curtis Stinson Jr., Valley (West Des Moines)
2024-25 – Trevin Jirak, Valley
