A game-changing, generational talent, Smith led Ontario Christian to a 34-2 record and the No. 1 spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25. She averaged a team-high 31.5 points per game along with 6.9 assists, 4.5 steals and 3.7 rebounds.
For her efforts and accomplishments, Smith has been named the MaxPreps National Player of the Year. She is the second junior to earn high school basketball's highest honor and has a chance to join fellow hoops icon
Juju Watkins of
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) as the lone two-time winners of the 21-year-old award.
"She amazes me all the time," Ontario Christian head coach Aundre Cummings said. "I see stuff people haven't seen (in practice) and I look at my assistants and we just say 'Wow.'
"You don't get used to her ability. It's something different ever night, every practice, every workout. She does it so often, but I still get amazed."
Smith burst on the scene in 2023 winning MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors with a 34.9 point average. She is three points from 3,000 career points.
As a junior, Smith became more of a vocal floor leader while ramping up her scoring as Ontario Christian challenged itself with a schedule that included trips to Texas, the Bahamas, New York and Massachusetts. The Knights beat beat four state champions and three others who played in a title game.
In the inaugural MaxPreps Game of the Week, Smith was in her bag as she dropped a smooth 50 points in a 96-87 double-overtime win over No. 3
Archbishop Mitty (San Jose).
Two months later, Smith again took over against the Monarchs in the state title game. She scored a game-high 24 points, including seven in the fourth quarter that gave the Knights separation and the chance to hoist their first title banner.
"She's accepted her size," Cummings said. "She's look at small guards and saw that they're all consistent in their work ethic.
"She's told me 'I don't have the advantages (of size) that Juju or (WNBA player)
Paige Bueckers have so I have to make sure I never get too comfortable in my abilities. I have to keep working."
Cummings' bond with Smith goes deep as he is her stepfather in addition to coach. And he says that provides unique opportunities.
"There's an appreciation that goes both ways," Cummings said. "We spend a lot of time in the gym and whether we're working on things or just sitting and talking about the idea of being a state or national champion, there's a bond."
He said he doesn't know where Smith's game will take her, but he is excited to be along for the ride.
"I don't know if she has a ceiling because I don't think she's ever content or complacent," Cummings said. "The better she gets, the more hungry she gets."
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2006 — Jacki Gemelos, St. Mary's (Stockton, Calif.)
2007 — Maya Moore, Collins Hill (Suwanee, Ga.)
2008 — Nneka Ogwumike, Cy-Fair (Cypress, Texas)
2009 — Skylar Diggins, South Bend Washington (South Bend, Ind.)
2010 — Chiney Ogwumike, Cy-Fair
2011 — Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2012 — Breanna Stewart, Cicero-North Syracuse (Cicero, N.Y.)
2013 — Diamond DeShields, Norcross (Ga.)
2014 — A'ja Wilson, Heathwood Hall Episcopal (Columbia, S.C.)
2015 — Ali Patberg, Columbus North (Columbus, Ind.)
2016 — Sabrina Ionescu, Miramonte (Orinda, Calif.)
2017 — Megan Walker, Monacan (Richmond, Va.)
2018 — Christyn Williams, Central Arkansas Christian (North Little Rock, Ark.)
2019 — Azzi Fudd, St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
2020 — Paige Bueckers, Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.)
2021 — Raven Johnson, Westlake (Atlanta)
2022 — Juju Watkins, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)
2023 — Juju Watkins, Sierra Canyon
2024 — Jaloni Cambridge, Montverde Academy
2025 — Aaliyah Chavez, Monterey (Lubbock, Texas)
