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.
Layden Kauka of
Kohala (Kapaau) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps Hawaii Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1 senior guard led the Cowboys to a 25-4 record and their third Division II state title in the past four seasons.
For the season, Kauka averaged 26.3 points per game while
connecting on 77 shots from 3-point range and shooting 87.1 percent from
the free throw line. He scored a career-high 42 points in a
65-46 win over Hawaii Prep (Kamuela) on Jan. 20.
In a wire-to-wire 49-35 victory over Seabury (Makawao) in the championship game, Kauka tallied 28 points, five rebounds and three assists.
After putting up 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.3 steals and 3.3 assists per across three state tournament games, Kauka earned Division II All-Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors.
Kauka piled up 1,750 points in his career with Kohala despite spending the majority of his junior season in Utah before returning to the school for the final seven games of the 2024-25.
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 Hawaii Players of the Year
2019-20 – Christmas Togiai, Kamehameha Kapalama (Honolulu)
2021-22 – Aiva Arquette, Saint Louis (Honolulu)
2022-23 – Pupualii Sepulona, Saint Louis
2023-24 – Pupualii Sepulona, Saint Louis
2024-25 – Bromo Dorn, Seabury (Makawao)
