Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school girls 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.
Trinity Jones of
Naperville Central (Naperville) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps Illinois High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2 senior guard led the Redhawks to a 26-7 record and Class 4A sectional final appearance.
For the season, Jones averaged 28.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.3 assists per game.
Jones missed all of her junior season with an ACL injury but still managed to score more than 1,000 career points at Naperville Central. She was named to the Class 4A All-State team by the Illinois Coaches Association.
In April, Jones will wrap up her prep career at the McDonald's All American
Game, joining Candace Parker as the only players in Naperville Central history to earn an invite to the prestigious showcase.
Jones signed with Clemson in November over offers from LSU, Tennessee and UCLA among others.
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 2025 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson (2014) along with 2025 All-WNBA selections Aliyah Boston (2017, 2018, 2019), Paige Bueckers (2018, 2019), Napheesa Collier (2015), Sabrina Ionescu (2015, 2016), Kelsey Mitchell (2014), Nneka Ogwumike (2008), Alyssa Thomas (2010) and Jackie Young (2014, 2015).
Past MaxPreps Illinois Players of the Year2021-22 — Alyssa Latham, Homewood-Flossmoor (Flossmoor)
2022-23 — Lenee Beaumont, Benet Academy (Lisle)
2023-24 — Kloe Froebe, Lincoln
2024-25 — Aubrey Galvan, Loyola Academ (Wilmette)
