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.
Zavier Zens of
Wisconsin Lutheran (Milwaukee) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps Wisconsin High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-7 senior wing led the Vikings to a 30-0 record and their third consecutive state championship.
For the season, Zens averaged 23.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists per contest while shooting 61.8 percent from the field, 41.7 percent from 3-point range and 74.3 percent from the free throw line.
Zavier Zens helped Wisconsin Lutheran go unbeaten en route to state championships as a sophomore and senior. (PHOTO: Mandy McGlothlin)
In a 57-37 victory over Madison Memorial (Madison) in the Division 1 state title game, Zens had a game-high 20 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists. He shot 8 of 9 from the field and 4 of 4 from 3-point range.
Over the course of his four-year career with the program, Zens helped the Vikings to a record of 111-7. Wisconsin Lutheran will finish the season ranked in the top 10 nationally for the second time in the past three seasons.
Zens signed with Northern Iowa over offers from Bradley, Buffalo, Colorado State, Drake, Green Bay, Illinois State, Miami (Ohio), St. Thomas, Toledo and Wyoming.
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 Wisconsin Players of the Year
2019-20 – Patrick Baldwin, Hamilton (Sussex)
2020-21 – Tyrese Hunter, St. Catherine's (Racine)
2021-22 – Seth Trimble, Menomonee Falls
2022-23 – Milan Momcilovic, Pewaukee
2023-24 – Kon Knueppel, Wisconsin Lutheran (Milwaukee)
2024-25 – Xzavion Mitchell, Oshkosh North (Oshkosh)
