Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in
high school 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.
Isaiah Evans of
North Mecklenburg (Huntersville) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps North Carolina High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-6 junior wing led the Vikings to a record of 29-3 and the NCHSAA Class 4A state semifinals.
Evans averaged 26.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists this season, upping his scoring average to 38.6 points per contest over the course of five state tournament games.
Five-star junior Isaiah Evans averaged 38.6 points per contest during state tournament play. (Photo: Brad Arrowood)
In a 105-92 double-overtime win over Chambers (Charlotte) in the quarterfinals, Evans scored a career-high 62 points – the sixth-highest single-game total in state history.
Regarded as the No. 10 prospect in the Class of 2024 according to 247Sports, Evans already holds offers from Alabama, Duke and Kansas among others.
Paul McNeil of
Richmond (Rockingham) was the 2021-22 North Carolina Player of the Year. Then a sophomore, McNeil averaged 24.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season to help the Raiders reach the state quarterfinals.
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 2023 NBA All-Stars Bam Adebayo (2016),
Jaylen Brown (2015), DeMar DeRozan (2008), Kevin Durant (2006), Anthony
Edwards (2019), De'Aaron Fox (2016), Jrue Holiday (2008), Jaren Jackson
(2017), Kyrie Irving (2010), Julius Randle (2013), Jayson Tatum (2016)
and Zion Williamson (2018).
