Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school girls 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.
Dee Alexander of
Purcell Marian (Cincinnati) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Ohio High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1 sophomore forward led Cavaliers to a 27-2 record and the Division II state championship.
For the season, Alexander averaged 25.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game. She scored a game-high 20 points in the title game, including 14 in the second half and her team's first 10 points in the fourth quarter.
MaxPreps Ohio Player of the Year Dee Alexander at the line in the state semifinals against Bryan. (Photo: Scott Iles)
Alexander was a MaxPreps Freshman All-American last season and became only the second sophomore to be named Miss Ohio Basketball.
Imarianah Russell of
Reynoldsburg was the 2021-22 MaxPreps Ohio Player of the Year. Now a freshman at West Virginia, she averaged 24.6 points,
7.4 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game to lead the Raiders to the Division 1 championship.
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 2022 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson (2014) as well as 2022 All-WNBA picks Skylar Diggins-Smith (2009), Sabrina Ionescu (2016), Jonquel Jones (2012), Nneka Ogwumike (2008), Kelsey Plum (2013), Breanna Stewart (2012) and Alyssa Thomas (2010).
