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.
Luke Howery of
Chaparral (Parker) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps Colorado High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-5 junior guard led the Wolverines to a 24-3 record and Class 6A state semifinals.
For the season, Howery averaged 19.0 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 52.3 percent from the field, 34.7 percent from 3-point range and 75.8 percent from the free throw line.
MaxPreps Colorado Player of the Year Luke Howery surpassed 1,000 points for his career late in the season. (PHOTO: Tim Bourke)
In a 75-60 loss to Rock Canyon in the semifinals, Howery scored 19 points and grabbed five rebounds.
Howery posted the second triple-double of his career in a 65-47 win against Horizon (Thornton) in February with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He also flirted with a triple-double in an 89-70 victory over Denver South (Denver) with 32 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.
Howery committed to Colorado State over offers from New Mexico, Seattle and Wyoming prior to the season.
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 Colorado Players of the Year
2019-20 – Dominique Clifford, The Vanguard School (Colorado Springs)
2020-21 – Baye Fall, Lutheran (Parker)
2021-22 – Sam Howery, St. Mary's (Colorado Springs)
2022-23 – D'Aundre Samuels, Denver East (Denver)
2023-24 – Cole Scherer, Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)
2024-25 – Cole Scherer, Valor Christian
