The MaxPreps National Player of the Year will be named at the conclusion of the 2025-26 high school basketball season, marking the 21st year for that honor going back to Greg Oden in 2006. Kevin Love (2007), Lonzo Ball (2016), Michael Porter Jr. (2017), Cade Cunningham (2020), Chet Holmgren (2021) and Cameron Boozer (2023, 2025) are among the winners in the years since.
See the complete list of MaxPreps National Player of the Year winners at the bottom of the page.
At the approximate mid-way point of the season, it's time to look at the candidates to join that list. Standouts from 15 states and the District of Columbia made the cut.
6-4 | Junior | Guard | Missouri
Reigning MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year is averaging 30.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.2 steals per game while shooting 66.3 percent from the field, 51.1 percent from 3-point range and 86.7 percent from the free throw line.
6-5 | Senior | Wing | Arkansas
Although he has missed a handful of games due to injury, Andrews has been dominant when he does take the floor, averaging 34.0 points, 16.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.1 steals per contest.
6-1 | Senior | Guard | Vanderbilt
Top 100 prospect is averaging 28.9 points, 5.6 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals per outing while shooting 53.6 percent from the field, 41.0 percent from 3-point range and 83.7 percent from the free throw line.
6-1 | Junior | Guard | Liberty
Under-the-radar Class of 2027 prospect is putting up 31.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game while leading the Bees to a 14-4 record.
6-3 | Senior | Guard | Wake Forest
Quickly rising Class of 2026 prospect is averaging 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.0 steals per game while shooting 59.9 percent from the field, 50.0 percent from 3-point range and 98.0 percent from the free throw line.
6-8 | Senior | Forward | Uncommitted
Despite a pair of top 20 senior prospects leaving prior to the season, Collins has led the Braves to a 12-4 record against a challenging national schedule. He is averaging 24 points, 11 rebounds and four assists per game.
6-3 | Senior | Guard | Missouri
Shattered California's career scoring record with 4,341 points and counting. Crowe is leading the nation in scoring, averaging 43.9 points, 5.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game.
6-0 | Junior | Guard | Uncommitted
Has guided the Eagles to the No. 5 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25, averaging 28.1 points, 4.9 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 steals per outing.
6-4 | Sophomore | Guard | Uncommitted
Arguably the most impressive sophomore in the nation, Diggs is putting up 23.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.5 steals per contest to help the Tigers reach the No. 10 spot in the national rankings.
6-1 | Senior | Guard | Purdue
An early Indiana MaxPreps Player of the Year front-runner, Ertel is averaging 25.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.1 steals per game to guide the Marauders to a record of 11-2.
6-5 | Senior | Wing | Pittsburgh
The leading scorer in the Nike EYBL is averaging 25 points, 10 rebounds and three steals per game on the season to help Utah Prep get off to an 18-3 start.
6-8 | Senior | Forward | Miami
After taking on the primary scoring role for the four-time defending state champions, Gaskins is averaging 21.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists to help the Explorers reach the No. 25 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25.
6-5 | Senior | Guard | Uncommitted
Despite missing nine games due to injury, Holt has been the catalyst for the Crew with averages of 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals per game.
6-6 | Senior | Guard | Connecticut
Top 25 prospect has been the go-to guy for the No. 8-ranked Wildcats, averaging 24.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per contest against a challenging schedule that includes trips to the City of Palms Classic and Hoophall West.
6-2 | Senior | Guard | SMU
Three-star has led the Coyotes to the top 50 of the national rankings, averaging 26.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.6 steals per outing. Lomax narrowly edged out teammate top 10 Duke signee
Bryson Howard for a spot on the list.
6-4 | Senior | Guard | Uncommitted
Impact newcomer has helped the Trailblazers rise to No. 3 in the MaxPreps Top 25, averaging 19.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists per game.
5-9 | Senior | Guard | UNC-Greensboro
Reigning North Carolina MaxPreps Player of the Year is putting up 38.4 points, 8.4 assists, 6.6 steals and 5.0 rebounds per game. Neal has scored 115 points in his last two games, including pumping in a school record 63 in a win over Hibriten (Lenoir)
6-5 | Senior | Guard | Michigan State
Top 40 prospect is tallying 19.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game to help the Crusaders reach the No. 10 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25. He has upped those numbers to 26.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists over his last three outings.
6-7 | Senior | Wing | BYU
Leader in the clubhouse for Utah MaxPreps Player of the Year honors, Rueckert is averaging 21.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game for the No. 16-ranked team in the MaxPreps Top 25.
6-3 | Senior | Guard | Uncommitted
The catalyst for the top-ranked team in the MaxPreps Top 25, Smith is averaging 27.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals per contest against a tough national slate. Smith earned MVP honors at the City of Palms Classic last month.
6-7 | Senior | Wing | Uncommitted
Top-ranked senior has provided a major spark for the Vikings, leading them to a record of 13-1 with averages of 35 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and four steals per contest. He went off for 50 points in a 100-72 victory over Seattle Prep (Seattle).
6-5 | Senior | Wing | Arkansas
Two-time reigning Connecticut MaxPreps Player of the Year is putting up 28.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.8 steals a game while shooting 79.5 percent from the field and 51.6 percent from 3-point range to guide the Knights to a 8-2 record with three out-of-state wins.
6-10 | Junior | Center | Uncommitted
One of three juniors to make the list, Wabbington is averaging 18.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game to lead the Vikings to the No. 4 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25. He earned MVP honors at Hoophall West earlier in the month.
6-11 | Senior | Forward | Duke
Versatile big man is tallying 23.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.6 blocked shots per outing for a top 100 team. Williams has an opportunity to bolster his case against top-ranked Paul VI at the Hoophall Classic this weekend.
6-7 | Senior | Wing | Northern Iowa
Under-the-radar mid-major commit is averaging 26.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists per game while shooting 63.3 percent from the field and 43.1 percent from 3-point range. He earned MVP honors at the Beach Ball Classic after knocking down a game-winning shot as time expired in the title game.
Past MaxPreps National Players of Year
2006 — Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)
2007 — Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Lake Oswego, Ore.)
2008 — Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2009 — Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Atlanta)
2010 — Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa)
2011 — Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2012 — Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
2013 — Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2014 — Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2015 — Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
2016 — Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.)
2017 — Michael Porter Jr., Nathan Hale (Seattle)
2018 — R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy
2019 — Sharife Cooper, McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.)
2020 — Cade Cunningham, Montverde Academy
2021 — Chet Holmgren, Minnehaha Academy (Minneapolis)
2022 — Dariq Whitehead, Montverde Academy
2023 — Cameron Boozer, Columbus (Miami, Fla.)
2024 — Dylan Harper, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)
2025 — Cameron Boozer, Columbus
