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.
Cameron Boozer of
Columbus (Miami) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Florida High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-9 sophomore forward led the Explorers to a 26-4 record and their second consecutive Class 7A state title.
Boozer averaged 21.1 points, 11.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 62.1 percent from the field, 41.6 percent from 3-point range and 89.1 percent from the free throw line this season. Columbus is ranked No. 9 in the MaxPreps Top 25 at the time of his selection.
Top-ranked sophomore guided Columbus to its second consecutive state title. (Photo: Pete Wright)
After earning MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors last season, Boozer has continued his dominance in 2022-23 and was recently named a MaxPreps National Player of the Year finalist. He is currently regarded as the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2025 according to 247Sports.
Dariq Whitehead of
Montverde Academy (Montverde) and Jarace Walker of
IMG Academy (Bradenton) were named the 2021-22 MaxPreps co-Florida Players of the Year. Whitehead is currently a freshman at Duke University and averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists last season to lead the Eagles to the GEICO Nationals title. Walker is currently a freshman at the University of Houston and averaged 16.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists last season.
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).
