Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in
high school basketball. America's source for high school sports
continues the tradition to close out the 2022-23 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.
D'Aundre Samuels of
Denver East (Denver) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Colorado High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2 senior guard led the Angels to a 26-2 record and a the Class 6A state championship.
For the season, Samuels averaged 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 4.9 steals while shooting 51.8 percent from the field. In Denver East's 82-61 title game victory over Fossil Ridge, he tallied 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
D'Aundre Samuels rises for a shot in Colorado's Class 6A state championship game. (Photo: Brad Cochi)
After losing its first two games of the season, including a 23-point loss to Fossil Ridge, Denver East won 26 in a row en route to the school's 12th state title. Samuels notched two triple-doubles during that win streak, including 25 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists in a January victory over Thomas Jefferson.
Sam Howery of
St. Mary's (Colorado Springs) was the 2021-22 Colorado Player of the Year.
Currently a freshman at Colorado State University-Pueblo, Howery averaged 26.6 points, 9.1 assists, 8.6 rebounds and 3.3 steals last season to help the Pirates reach the state semifinals.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for
inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in
April. Past selections include 2023 NBA All-Stars Bam Adebayo (2016),
Jaylen Brown (2015), DeMar DeRozan (2008), Kevin Durant (2006), Anthony
Edwards (2019), De'Aaron Fox (2016), Jrue Holiday (2008), Jaren Jackson
(2017), Kyrie Irving (2010), Julius Randle (2013), Jayson Tatum (2016)
and Zion Williamson (2018).
