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.
Pascal Munezero of
Rice Memorial (South Burlington) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps Vermont High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 5-foot-9 junior guard led the Green Knights to a 19-4 record and their seventh consecutive state championship game appearance.
For the season, Munezero averaged 29.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest.
In a 54-48 loss to Bellows Free Academy (St. Albans) in the Division 1 state final, Munezero pumped in a game-high 23 points to go along with nine rebounds and four assists.
Munezero led Burlington to a state championship last season with averages of 15.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game before transferring to Rice Memorial.
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 Vermont Players of the Year
2019-20 – Michel Ndayishimiye, Rice Memorial (South Burlington)
2020-21 – Michel Ndayishimiye, Rice Memorial
2021-22 – Jonah Cattaneo, Montpelier
2022-23 – Sawyer Ramey, Fair Haven
2023-24 – Drew Bessette, Rice Memorial
2024-25 – Abdi Sharif, Burlington
