Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school girls basketball. The tradition continues to close out the 2024-25 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.
Ace Austin of
Spring Garden is the 2024-25 Alabama MaxPreps Player of the Year. A repeat selection, the 5-foot 7 senior point guard led the Panthers to a 36-1 record and third straight Class 1A state title.
For the season, Austin averaged 26.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 4.2 steals per game. She shot 60 percent from the field this season, including 37 percent from 3-point range.
Ace Austin is the Alabama MaxPreps Player of the Year after leading Spring Garden to its third straight state title. The Alabama commit averaged more than 26 points per game while shooting 60 percent from the field on the season. (PHOTO: Brad Campbell)
In a 73-43 win over Brilliant in the state championship game, Austin piled up 40 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. She began her senior campaign with 49 points in an 80-50 win over Springville.
Austin tallied 3,940 points, 1,430 assists and 1,379 rebounds during her Spring Garden career, leading the Spartans to a 131-5 record over the past four years while playing for her father Ricky Austin.
Regarded as a top 50 senior prospect by
247Sports, Austin will play for Alabama next season.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which is scheduled to be released in April. Past selections include 2024 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson (2014) as well as 2024 All-WNBA first team picks Caitlin Clark (2020), Napheesa Collier (2015), Breanna Stewart (2012) and Alyssa Thomas (2010).
Past Alabama MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — Samiya Steele, Hazel Green
2022-23 — Reniya Kelly, Hoover
2023-24 — Ace Austin, Spring Garden
