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.
Marcus Johnson of
Garfield Heights is the 2025-26 MaxPreps Ohio High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2 senior guard led Bulldogs to a 18-7 record and a trip to the third round of the Division III state tournament.
For the season, Johnson averaged 28.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.7 steals per contest while shooting 45.8 percent from the field, 38.2 percent from 3-point range and 82.9 percent from the free throw line.
Marcus Johnson led Garfield Heights to a record of 66-12 during his three-year run as MaxPreps Ohio Player of the Year. (PHOTO: Chris Martino)
Johnson finished his career with 2,364 points. He scored a season-high 40 points in a win over Glenville (Cleveland) in December and matched that total in a win over Maple Heights in February.
Just the seventh player in state history to earn Ohio Mr. Basketball honors on multiple occasions, Johnson is one-half of the only father-son duo to win the award. Sonny Johnson, also the head coach at Garfield Heights, captured the honor in 1998.
Regarded as the No. 76 prospect in the Class of 2026 by Rivals, Johnson signed with South Carolina over offers from Alabama, Cincinnati, Illinois, Nebraska, Ohio State, Oklahoma, LSU, Seton Hall and West Virginia among others.
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 Ohio Players of the Year
2019-20 – VonCameron Davis, Walnut Ridge (Columbus)
2020-21 – Chris Livingston, Buchtel (Akron)
2021-22 – Gabe Cupps, Centerville
2022-23 – Devin Royal, Pickerington Central (Pickerington)
2023-24 – Marcus Johnson, Garfield Heights
2024-25 – Marcus Johnson, Garfield Heights
