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.
Braxton Keathley of
Martin County (Inez) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps Kentucky High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-4 junior guard led the Cardinals to a 22-10 record and a trip to the 15th Region semifinals.
For the season, Keathley averaged 33.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.7 steals per game while shooting 56.7 percent from the field, 47.1 percent from 3-point range and 85.5 percent from the free throw line.
Keathley scored 40 points or more eight times this season, including a high of 44 against Johnson Central (Paintsville) in February. He piled up 1,062 points this winter, surpassing 3,000 for his career.
Bowling Green, Eastern Kentucky, Ohio, Pacific, Southeast Missouri State, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Tennessee-Martin have all extended scholarship offers to Keathley.
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 Kentucky Players of the Year
2019-20 – J.J. Traynor, Bardstown
2020-21 – Sam Vinson, Highlands (Fort Thomas)
2021-22 – Reed Sheppard, North Laurel (London)
2022-23 – Travis Perry, Lyon County (Eddyville)
2023-24 – Travis Perry, Lyon County
2024-25 – Malachi Moreno, Great Crossing (Georgetown
