Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in prep girls basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2023-24 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.
Ayanna Franks of
Windsor is the 2023-24 Connecticut MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 5-foot-9 senior guard led the Warriors to a 17-8 record and Class L quarterfinals.
For the season, Franks averaged 25.7 points, 13.1 rebounds, 4.2 steals and 2.4 assists per game. She passed the 2,000-point plateau in February against Northwest Catholic (West Hartford).
Franks signed with Rhode Island in November over offers from Fordham, Massachusetts, Northeastern and Quinnipiac.
"We especially love her because of her defensive and rebounding capabilities," Rhode Island head coach Tammi Reiss said of Franks. "She is an aggressive rim attacker and thrives in transition. My favorite thing about Ayanna is her mentality – she is a relentless blue collar worker that lives in the gym and fits our culture."
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 April 11. Past selections include 2023 WNBA Most Valuable Player Breanna Stewart (2012) as well as 2023 All-WNBA first team picks Napheesa Collier (2015), Alyssa Thomas (2010) and A'ja Wilson (2014).
Past Connecticut MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — Mackenzie Nelson, St. Luke's (New Canaan)
2022-23 — Leah Philpotts, Hamden
