Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in
prep basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the
tradition to close out the 2023-24 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.
Travis Perry of
Lyon County (Eddyville)
is the 2023-24 Kentucky MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2
senior guard led the Lyons to a 36-3 record and the first state championship in school history.
For the season, Perry averaged 29.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.9 steals per contest while shooting 63 percent from the field, 42.0 percent from 3-point range and 85.7 percent from the free throw line.
Travis Perry in action at the City of Palms Classic, where he led Lyon County to the Signature Series title with wins over teams from Alabama and South Carolina. (Photo: Eugene Alonzo)
In a 67-58 victory over Harlan County in the state championship game, Perry tallied a game-high 27 points with five assists to lead the way.
Perry is Kentucky's all-time leading scorer, finishing his career with 5,481 points – the seventh-highest total in national history.
Regarded as the No. 72 prospect in the Class of 2024 according to
247Sports, Perry signed with Kentucky in November over offers from Creighton, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Purdue and Virginia among others.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for
inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released April
10. Past selections include 2024 NBA All-Stars Bam Adebayo (2016),
Paolo Banchero (2020), Scottie Barnes (2020), Devin Booker (2014),
Jaylen Brown (2015), Jalen Brunson (2015), Anthony Davis (2011), Kevin
Durant (2006), Anthony Edwards (2019), Tyrese Maxey (2019), Julius
Randle (2013), Jayson Tatum (2016), Karl-Anthony Towns (2014) and Trae
Young (2017).
Past Kentucky MaxPreps Players of the Year
2019-20 – J.J. Traynor, Bardstown
2020-21 – Sam Vinson, Highlands (Fort Thomas)
2021-22 – Reed Sheppard, North Laurel (London)
2022-23 – Travis Perry, Lyon County (Eddyville)
