As the 2024-25 high school basketball season enters its final month, some of the nation's top players continue to shine and strengthen their resume for postseason accolades.
Among those is MaxPreps National Player of the Year, which will be announced April 8. Past winners include Harrison Barnes, R.J. Barrett, Cade Cunningham, Chet Holmgren, Kevin Love and Michael Porter Jr. (see the complete list dating back to 2006 below). Today, we narrow the list of candidates to join that list and capture the nation's highest honor to five.
6-9 | Senior | Wing | Uncommitted
Ament's numbers don't jump off the page but he is the ultimate team player and has elevated a program that lacks high-major prospects into the national rankings. The versatile wing is averaging 18.1 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game, leading the Hawks to multiple signature victories in showcase events. He is shooting 49.2 percent from the field, 32.8 percent from 3-point range and 86.2 percent from the free throw line for the No. 20-ranked team in the MaxPreps Top 25.
6-9 | Senior | Forward | Duke
The 2022-23 MaxPreps National Player of the Year winner is putting together another impressive season for the top-ranked team in the MaxPreps Top 25. He is averaging 22.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 steals per contest while shooting 62.0 percent from the field, 46.7 percent from 3-point range and 80.4 percent from the free throw line. The Explorers have faced one of the toughest schedules in the nation, boasting a 10-2 record against nationally-ranked opponents.
6-4 | Senior | Guard | Uncommitted
Five-star prospect has guided Roosevelt to the No. 5 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25 with a record of 31-2 entering the Open Division Southern Section title game. Burries is putting up 29.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game while shooting 55.4 percent from the field, 33.2 percent from 3-point range and 83.8 percent from the free throw line. He has posted 14 double-doubles and scored 43 or more points four times this season.
6-9 | Senior | Wing | BYU
Top-ranked senior prospect is averaging 33 points, 11 rebounds and four assists per contest despite his team struggling since making a mid-season coaching change. Earlier this month, he piled up 44 points and 13 rebounds in a 96-90 loss to Dream City Christian (Glendale, Ariz.) before going off for 49 points and nine rebounds in a loss to Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.) the following night. Dybantsa has unlimited upside as an explosive wing scorer at the highest level.
6-6 | Senior | Guard | Kansas
Regarded as the No. 3 prospect in the Class of 2025 according to
247Sports, Peterson has tallied 30.4 points, 7.4 assists, 6.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals per contest while shooting 52 percent from the field, 44 percent from 3-point range and 86 percent from the free throw line. Peterson set a new Grind Session record with 61 points in an 88-86 victory against Utah Prep and has led Prolific Prep (25-5) to the No. 7 spot in the National Top 10.
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2006 — Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
2007 — Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Ore.)
2008 — Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2009 — Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Atlanta)
2010 — Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa)
2011 — Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2012 — Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
2013 — Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2014 — Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2015 — Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2016 — Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.)
2017 — Michael Porter Jr., Nathan Hale (Seattle)
2018 — R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy
2019 — Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
2020 — Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy
2021 — Chet Holmgren, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis)
2022 — Dariq Whitehead, Montverde Academy
2023 — Cameron Boozer, Columbus (Miami, Fla.)
2024 — Dylan Harper, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
