Our look at high school basketball's best from the 2025-26 season
concludes with the MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team, highlighted by MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year
Kristen Winston of
Hoover (Ala.).
Winston helped Hoover (35-1) capture its sixth straight Class 7A state championship and earn the No. 12 spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25.
On a team led by Missouri signee
Khloe Ford, Winston was third on the squad in scoring at 13.8 points per game to go along with 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 steals.
"Kristen made huge leaps this season," Hoover coach Krystle Johnson said. "She's been soaking up the culture of the Hoover Lady Bucs for a long time and now it's her time to create her own legacy in the Orange, Black and White."
Read on for a complete look at the MaxPReps Freshman All-America Team. Selections are based on team success, individual production and local,
regional and state honors from the recently-completed season. Potential
at the college and professional level is not a primary consideration.
Players in post-graduate or non-scholastic programs are not eligible for
inclusion.
MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team
5-10 | Guard
Guided the Lancers (23-8) to a San Diego Section Open Division title while averaging a team-high 20 points per game.
5-8 | Guard
The Tigers reached the Class A title game as Bryant averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists. She is already approaching 1,500 career points.
6-1 | Wing
The Chaparrals (40-1) reached the Conference 6A Division 2 title game thanks in part due to Byers-Veal's 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.9 steals per game.
6-1 | Wing
Averaged 10.9 points per game as the Eagles won the Division III state title.
6-2 | Guard
Tallied 14.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 3.5 rebounds per game as Blue Aces (22-6) took third at the Class 6A state tournament.
5-9 | Guard
Already a 1,000-point scorer, Deener averaged 22.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game for the Cardinals (26-8).
5-6 | Point guard
Ison had 24 in a win over nationally-ranked Bishop McNamara, averaging 12.8 points, 2.4 steals 2.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds per game on the season.
6-2 | Wing
Tallied 14.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game as the Panthers (24-9) reached the Conference 6A Division 2 regional finals.
5-11 | Guard
Posted 14.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game for the No. 1 team in the country. Scored 20 or more in six games with a high of 31 in November.
6-0 | Guard
Tallied a team-high 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game for Carmel (25-10), which reached Class 4A super sectionals.
6-0 | Wing
Dropped a team-high 27.9 points points per game to go along with 10.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 3.2 steals.
6-1 | Forward
Led the War Eagles (25-5) with 27.7 points per night including a high of 41.
6-0 | Forward
Major contributor in San Ramon Valley's 26-5 campaign.
MAXPREPS NATIONAL FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Kristen Winston,
Hoover (Ala.)5-11 | Guard
Averaged 13.8 points, 5.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 steals per night.
5-7 | Guard
Produced 18.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game with four 30-point games as the Mustangs reached the Class 6A quarterfinals.
