Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized the top high school girls
basketball players in America. Past honorees include Tina Charles, Elena
Delle Donne, Maya Moore, Nneka Ogwumike, Breanna Stewart and A'ja
Wilson, who all went on to win the WNBA's Most Valuable Player award.
This year's Preseason MaxPreps
All-America teams are headlined by Juju Waktins and Lauren Betts, who have dreams of one day joining the prestigious list above.
Even in the best of years, picking top players in preseason is a risky proposition, but the pandemic and the fact some states barely played last season, if at all, makes this year even chancier.
So we're sure the following 15 players are outstanding talents and should shine for their high school teams. We're also fully aware, though, that there are a lot of other exceptional talents out there, and that it would be easy to come up with a credible list that had a lot of different names.
Juju Watkins, Sierra Canyon
Photo by Heston Quan
6-2 | Senior (2022) | Wing | Georgia
It's not just college rosters that feature elite transfers — Barker moved from Tampa Bay Tech to Montverde for her senior year, where another group of fans will get to appreciate her explosive athleticism and nose for the rim.
6-7 | Senior (2022) | Post | Stanford
Basketball is a game that rewards the tall, but not only does Betts have size, she has good hands and a great touch around the rim. Not surprisingly, she's also a very good shot blocker, but on top of all that, she's fast enough to be a threat in transition.
5-11 | Senior (2022) | Guard | UCLA
Sidwell Friends didn't play last season, but college coaches already had plenty to go on, as Rice, a tall point guard, has shown she can get to the rim and make her teammates better. This year, with Sidwell playing a national schedule, more than just college coaches will realize how good she is.
6-0 | Junior (2023) | Guard | Uncommitted
Like Barker, Watkins made an in-state move, going from Southern California power Windward to the Trailblazers. Watkins is incredibly athletic, strong and unafraid of contact, and as her jumper improves, she will only get better.
6-0 | Junior (2023) | Guard | Uncommitted
Seimone Augustus just retired from the WNBA, but Williams — whose game resembles that of fellow Louisiana native Augustus — is ready to take up the torch. At 6-0, just like Augustus, Williams might shoot it a little better, but since Parkway doesn't travel much, only Louisiana fans will get a close-up look this year.
Lauren Betts, Grandview
File photo by Paul DiSalvo
5-10 | Senior (2022) | Forward | Notre Dame
In an era that worships 3-point shooters, Bransford is a true throwback. Even though she's only 5-10, she gets to the rim at will, going around or through taller opponents — the word "unstoppable" applies here.
6-4 | Junior (2023) | Post | Uncommitted
A traditional low post, she's a force on the block. Athletic and strong, Cunningham is skilled, powerful, and runs the floor well for her size.
6-3 | Senior (2022) | Forward | Oregon State
Gardiner has been dogged by injuries but when healthy, she's a classic stretch four with the ability to face up and score as well as rebound and finish close to the basket.
6-3 | Junior (2023) | Post | Uncommmitted
She burst on the scene this summer, showing off a varied skill set that included long-range shooting, rebounding and shot blocking. Neither her high school or club team are prominent on the national level, but college coaches definitely know who she is.
6-0 | Senior (2022) | Wing | Clemson
The latest in a long line of elite Pioneers, her size and athleticism make her a very tough cover. Not only can she get out on the break, she can bang inside with the big girls — and she is also an excellent defender.
Third team
6-1 | Junior (2023) | Wing | Uncommitted
Another versatile, athletic wing, she drives by bigger defenders and overwhelms smaller ones in the paint. She's extending her game beyond the 3-point arc as well, which makes her even more difficult to guard.
5-6 | Junior (2023) | Guard | Uncommitted
Think Ja Morant. Fulwiley is quick as a blink, can shoot it (42 percent from range last year), sets up her teammates and is 83 percent from the line. In short, there's just no good way to guard her.
5-10 | Senior (2022) | Guard | Duke
Jackson may be from Sour Lake but her game is as sweet as sugar, featuring a 4.9-to-1 assist/turnover ratio, 43 percent 3-point shooting and high-level decision-making.
5-9 | Senior (2022) | Guard | Uncommitted
An apex predator, Nivar punishes defenses with penetration and mid-range jumpers. She also rebounds and is deadly in transition, as a powerful predator should be.
6-4 | Senior (2022) | Forward | Arizona
The bloodlines are there as older brother Zeke now plays for the Denver Nuggets and Maya clearly learned some lessons about physicality in the driveway. She's not afraid to use her size inside, for both rebounding and scoring.
