Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school girls basketball. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2022-23 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.
Sahara Williams of
Waterloo West (Waterloo) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Iowa High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year. The 5-foot-10 senior wing led the Warhawks to a 22-2 record and Class 5A quarterfinals appearance.
For the season, Williams averaged 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.0 steals per game.
Headed to Oklahoma next year, Williams is the first Iowa player to be selected for the McDonald's All American Game since Caitlin Clark in 2020. She will also participate in the Nike Hoops Summit.
Hannah Stuelke of
Washington was the 2021-22 MaxPreps Iowa Player of the Year. Stuelke averaged 29.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game before moving on this season to the University of Iowa, where she was named Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in April. Past selections include 2022 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson (2014) as well as 2022 All-WNBA picks Skylar Diggins-Smith (2009), Sabrina Ionescu (2016), Jonquel Jones (2012), Nneka Ogwumike (2008), Kelsey Plum (2013), Breanna Stewart (2012) and Alyssa Thomas (2010).
