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.
Wayne McNamara of
Lincoln is the 2023-24 Rhode Island MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1 senior guard led the Lions to a 26-1 record and a run to the state semifinals after capturing the Division 2 tournament title.
For the season, McNamara averaged 24.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 3.0 steals per contest while shooting 59.3 percent from the field.
McNamara broke the school's career scoring mark as he finished his career with 1,445 points. He tallied a game-high 25 points in a 62-53 loss to Classical (Providence) in the state semifinals.
The only Rhode Islander to be nominated for the McDonald's All-American Game, McNamara has been accepted to Brown University with a grade point average above 4.0 and hopes to walk on to the basketball team in the fall.
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 Rhode Island MaxPreps Players of the Year2019-20 – Erickson Bans, Shea (Pawtucket)
2020-21 – Tyriek Weeks, Pilgrim (Warwick)
2021-22 – Denzel Correia, Rocky Hill School (East Greenwich)
2022-23 – Kelvin Odih, La Salle Academy (Providence)
