Sizing up the MaxPreps boys basketball Player of the Year candidates

Who will be lucky No. 7?

MaxPreps will name its seventh boys basketball National Player of the Year in April, extending a recent line of winners that includes college stars Harrison Barnes and Austin Rivers, and locked-out NBA standouts Brandon Jennings and Kevin Love.

History says the award will go to a senior, but this junior class has the star power to break that trend with Jabari Parker, Julius Randle and Texas twins Aaron and Andrew Harrison.

Here's a look at the prime contenders for 2012 POY honors (listed alphabetically):

Kyle Anderson, Sr., G/F, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.): It will be tough to top Anderson's junior campaign. The future UCLA Bruin helped the Friars to a 33-0 record, New Jersey Tournament of Champions title and mythical national title. Anderson is 61-1 in his last two years of high school basketball and with Bob Hurley's guidance from the bench, he is sure to shine once again as a senior.

DaJuan Coleman, Sr., C, Jamesville-DeWitt (DeWitt, N.Y.): Not many Class of 2012 prospects have spent more time under the microscope than Coleman. His stock has dropped a bit since being pegged as a potential top of class-type talent as a freshman. Will that provide motivation to produce a monster senior season, or is his mind already on Syracuse?

Perry Ellis, Sr., F, Wichita Heights (Kan.): Ellis and Heights enter this winter riding a 44-game win streak and will be looking for a fourth-straight state title. While the resume is ultra-glossy, the lack of any type of out-of-state tournament or showcase appearance will keep talk of Ellis' accomplishments primarily in Kansas.

Archie Goodwin, Sr., G, Sylvan Hills (Sherwood, Ark.): Although it played for a state title last season with Goodwin in the lead, Sylvan Hills has next to no basketball tradition. In fact, the school's last state title came in cheerleading, according to Wikipedia. But the Kentucky signee will put up big numbers once again (more than 28 points per game as a junior) and if he can push the Bears to a good showing at the Bass Pro Tournament of Champions in January and help the school capture a state title, a run at POY honors isn't out of the question.

Aaron (Jr., G) and Andrew Harrison (Jr., G), Fort Bend Travis (Richmond, Texas): The Harrison twins have already struck a blow by combining for 41 points in a win over nationally ranked Yates (Houston). Aaron followed with a 25-point effort in a win over Cypress Springs while Andrew contributed 15 points and seven assists.

Shabazz Muhammad, Sr., G, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas): If Muhammad's numbers remain in the same ballpark as a year ago (25.1 points, 7.7 rebounds per game) and he helps Bishop Gorman win a state title and a few big games nationally, the nation's No. 1 recruit will be impossible to keep out of the POY conversation.

Jabari Parker, Jr., G/F, Simeon (Chicago): Are Parker and the junior-dominated Wolverines ready for prime time? If the nation's top 2013 prospect and Simeon three-peat as Illinois' Class 4A state champs and manage a schedule that includes Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), Huntington Prep (W.Va.) and Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.), Parker could become the first non-senior POY.

Tony Parker, Sr., F/C, Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.): Parker garnered National Junior of the Year honors last season after leading the Wolverines to their third-straight Class AAAA state crown. Miller Grove is involved in nearly every big showcase and tournament in the country this season, so the uncommitted star will have plenty of opportunities to make his mark on the national scene.

Julius Randle, Sr., F, Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas): Randle was a beast on the summer circuit, dominating established senior stars like Ricardo Gathers and Justin Anderson at the Nike Peach Jam in July. His star will continue to rise if he can do the same in events like the Thanksgiving Hoopfest, City of Palms Classic, Beach Ball Classic and Spalding Hoophall Classic. The recent addition of star freshman Mickey Mitchell should help open things up.

Marcus Smart, Sr., G, Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas): The 6-foot-3, 205-pound guard is off to a great start, earning tournament MVP honors while leading the Marauders to the title at the McDonald's Texas Invitational over the weekend. The only snag in Smart's candidacy could be numbers. He averaged around 14 points per game last year and tends to produce as needed, meaning he will be content setting up teammates in a lot of Marcus blowouts this season.

MaxPreps.com's National Players of the Year – 2006 through 2011
2011 – Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2010 – Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa)
2009 – Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Ga.)
2008 – Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2007 – Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Ore.)
2006 – Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)