2016-17 MaxPreps Girls Basketball All-American Team

Video: Girls First Team All-Americans
Get acquainted with the MaxPreps Girls All-American first squad.

As with all rankings, there's plenty of subjectivity involved in choosing All-American teams, and a case could be made for girls who are on the fifth team to be on the first team, and vice versa.

Though obviously individual talent is the major component, we also factored in team success, as it's one thing to be a great individual player, but it's another to make those around you better as well. Playing well in big games is part of the equation, but raw statistics are less important since they are dependent on the level of competition and how teams are structured. Some elite players simply get more shots, and play more minutes, than others, due to a variety of factors – pace of play, offensive system, etc. – so looking at numbers doesn't necessarily tell the whole story.

But again, every player mentioned is a very good player, and all had superb seasons. Highlighted by Player of the Year selection, Megan Walker of Monacan (Richmond, Va.), MaxPreps presents the 2016-17 All-American Team. FIRST TEAM

Rennia Davis, Ribault (Jacksonville, Fla.)
6-1 | Senior | Wing | Tennessee

Davis, an athletic slasher who can hit from mid-range, led 26-3 Ribault to the Florida 6A title. She was the Gatorade state Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American. She averaged 26.3 points and 10.5 rebounds a game for the Trojans.

Anastasia Hayes, Riverdale (Murfreesboro, Tenn.)
5-7 | Senior | Guard | Tennessee

The best player on the No. 1 team in the nation, Hayes did everything for Riverdale. She averaged 22.5 points and 3.7 assists a game for the Tennessee 3A champion, and was the Gatorade state Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American.

Michaela Onyenwere, Grandview (Aurora, Colo.)
5-11 | Senior | Post | UCLA

Athletic and physical, Onyenwere controlled the paint for No. 7 Grandview, and led the Wolves to the Colorado 5A title. She was the Gatorade state Player of the Year, a McDonald's All-American and averaged 20.8 points a game on 61 percent shooting.

MAXPREPS NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Megan Walker, Monacan (Richmond, Va.)
6-1 | Senior | Wing | UConn

The MaxPreps National Player of the Year did it all for unbeaten Monacan. Walker was the Gatorade state Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American. She averaged 25.9 points and 7.6 rebounds a game and scored the final 16 points as No. 8 Monacan came from behind to win its third consecutive Virginia 4A title.

Evina Westbrook, South Salem (Ore.)
6-0 | Senior | Wing | Tennessee

A clutch player who can play anywhere on the perimeter, Westbrook is the third member of the first team headed to Tennessee next year. Like the other first-team selections, she was the Gatorade state Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American. SECOND TEAM

Chennedy Carter, Mansfield Timberview (Arlington, Texas)
5-7 | Senior | Guard | Texas A&M

Carter was the key to Mansfield Timberview's 37-3 season. A McDonald's All-American, she is a guard who can get to the rim and also shoot from beyond the arc.

Chasity Patterson, North Shore (Houston, Texas)
5-6 | Senior | Guard | Texas

The numbers are off the charts: 28.7 points, 4.9 assists, 5.7 steals a game over a 40-game schedule. Patterson is an excellent ball-handler with exceptional quickness and court vision to go along with three-point range. A McDonald's All-American.

Aisha Sheppard, St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
5-10 | Senior | Wing | Virginia Tech

Sheppard was the go-to player on the No. 2 team in the country, hitting big three-pointers despite being the focus of opposing defenses. Athletic and skilled, she was the District of Columbia Gatorade Player of the Year.

Cara Ursin, Destrehan (La.)
5-7 | Senior | Guard | Baylor

One of those players who slipped below the radar because she didn't play much on the club circuit, Ursin led No. 20 Destrehan to an unbeaten season and the Louisiana 5A title. A power guard, she was the Gatorade state Player of the Year.

Mikayla Vaughn, Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.)
6-3 | Senior | Post | Notre Dame

Though the modern game emphasizes the perimeter, Vaughn's ability to score in the paint made her invaluable for No. 3 Paul VI. It also doesn't hurt that she's both long and left-handed. THIRD TEAM

Charli Collier, Barbers Hill (Mt. Belvieu, Texas)
6-5 | Junior | Post | UConn

Size and skill combine to make Collier one of the top young posts in the country. She can score anywhere in the paint, hit from the elbow and she's a good defender.

Mikayla Coombs, Wesleyan (Norcross, Ga.)
5-10 | Senior | Guard | UConn

Athletic and aggressive, Coombs can absorb contact near the rim and hit the pull-up jumper. She helped Wesleyan to the Georgia Class A Private School title. She was the Gatorade state Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American.

Dana Evans, Gary West Side (Ind.)
5-6 | Senior | Guard | Louisville

Dazzling numbers for the McDonald's All-American – 36.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 4.8 steals a game – tell the tale.

Destiny Littleton, Bishop's (La Jolla, Calif.)
5-9 | Senior | Guard | Undecided

The scoring average of 42.7 points a game is not a misprint, as Bishop's averaged 79.6 as a team. Littleton is strong enough to score inside but also made 41 percent of her 3-pointers. The Gatorade state Player of the Year and a McDonald's All-American.

Christyn Williams, Central Arkansas Christian (North Little Rock, Ark.)
5-10 | Junior | Guard | Undecided

Williams scored 26.0 points a game and added 8.8 rebounds as the mobile guard could dominate from mid-range or drive to the rim off the dribble. FOURTH TEAM

Rellah Boothe, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)
6-1 | Senior | Post | Texas

Boothe stepped out with a tremendous performance at the McDonald's All-American game, winning MVP honors. Both powerful and skilled, she's almost impossible to stop when she's on her game.

Aquira DeCosta, St. Mary's (Stockton, Calif.)
6-2 | Junior | Post | Undecided

DeCosta most likely would have been higher but missed eight games due to a knee injury – but returned a few weeks after surgery to help the Rams in the postseason. The athletic lefty does most of her damage near the rim.

Zarielle Green, Duncanville (Texas)
6-0 | Junior | Guard | Undecided

The athletic Green was the best player for No. 11 Duncanville, the Texas 6A champion, and shared the court with a talented roster. She gets to the rim and hits mid-range jumpers, which helped her to 17.5 points a game.

Lauryn Miller, Kirkwood (Mo.)
6-1 | Senior | Post | UCLA

The Gatorade state Player of the Year is an active, physical lefty who is strong on the block. She led the Pioneers to the Missouri 5A title.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Winder-Barrow (Winder, Ga.)
 6-4 | Junior | Post | Undecided

Athletic for her size, Nelson-Ododa has all the moves in the paint and is developing as a high-post threat. FIFTH TEAM

Mikayla Boykin, Clinton (N.C.)
5-9 | Senior | Guard | Duke

Boykin lit up the scoreboard to the tune of 37.4 points a game, adding 13.7 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 5.6 steals each time out. The explosive guard also led Clinton to a 30-2 record and 2A state title.

Andra Espinoza-Hunter, Ossining (N.Y.)
5-10 | Senior | Wing | UConn

Espinoza-Hunter put up 36.9 points per game in her first year back at Ossining after spending time at Blair Academy. Gatorade state Player of the Year.

Karissa McLaughlin, Homestead (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
5-7 | Senior | Guard | Purdue

Another all-around scorer, McLaughlin led Homestead to the Indiana 4A title and a No. 17 national ranking. Gatorade state Player of the Year.

Danielle Patterson, Mary Louis Academy (Jamaica, N.Y.)
6-3 | Senior | Post | Notre Dame

Patterson is an athletic post who complements strong inside play with range out to the elbow. A McDonald's All-American, she helped Mary Louis Academy to the Catholic AA title and a spot in the Federation final.

Nalyssa Smith, East Central (San Antonio)
6-2 | Junior | Post | Undecided

Smith's athleticism is off the charts, as shown by her 5.0 blocks and 17.5 rebounds per game. She also scored 23.2 points a game on 57 percent shooting. SIXTH TEAM

Samantha Brunelle, Monroe (Stanardsville, Va.)
6-2 | Sophomore | Post | Undecided

Brunelle is the only member of the Class of 2019 to make one of this year's All-American squads, and that's because the 6-2 sophomore can score from anywhere. She plays with intelligence beyond her years.

Angel Hayden, Canyon (Texas)
5-6 | Senior | Guard | Undecided

Hayden was the MVP of the Texas 5A tournament for the third straight year, and helped No. 16 Canyon to its fourth straight state title. She's a heady, athletic leader who can attack the basket off the dribble or feed others in drive-and-dish mode.

Channise Lewis, Miami Country Day (Miami)
5-8 | Senior | Guard | Undecided

Lewis combines athleticism and vision as the leader of the sixth best team in the country. She can also score at the rim or from the perimeter. She helped the Spartans win four straight state titles as well as the Dick's Sporting Goods National championship for the second time in three years.

Deauzya Richards, Cypress Ranch (Houston)
6-1 | Senior | Wing | Baylor

A tall, athletic wing, Richards can score in transition, looks to attack the basket from the perimeter in the half-court and can post up. A McDonald's All-American.

Samantha Thomas, Centennial (Las Vegas)
6-0 | Senior | Post | Arizona

The top player on the No. 4 team in the country, Thomas used her athleticism to attack the basket from the high post. She helped her the Bulldogs to their third straight Nevada 4A title and was the Gatorade state Player of the Year. HONORABLE MENTION

Elizabeth Balogun, Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.)
6-0 | Junior | Wing | Undecided

The top player on the No. 12 team in the nation.

Brea Beal, Rock Island (Ill.)
6-0 | Sophomore | Wing | Undecided

Gatorade state Player of the Year.

Dee Bekelja, Solon (Ohio)
5-8 | Senior | Guard | DePaul

Gatorade state Player of the Year.

Aliyah Boston, Worcester Academy (Mass.)
6-3 | Sophomore | Post | Undecided

Gatorade state Player of the Year.

Sidney Cooks, St. Joseph (Kenosha, Wis.)
6-4 | Senior | Post | Michigan State

McDonald's All-American.

Mia Davis, St. Frances Academy (Baltimore)
5-10 | Senior | Post | Temple

Best player on the No. 13 team in the country.

Maya Dodson, St. Francis (Alpharetta, Ga.)
6-2 | Senior | Post | Stanford

McDonald's All-American.

Kierra Fletcher, Cousino (Warren, Mich.)
5-9 | Senior | Guard | Georgia Tech

Gatorade state Player of the Year.

Vivian Gray, Argyle (Texas)
6-1 | Senior | Post | Fort Lewis

Led Argyle to three straight Texas 4A titles.

Gabi Haack, Elk River (Minn.)
5-9 | Senior | Wing | Bradley

Gatorade state Player of the Year for the No. 19 team in the nation.

Sayawni Lassiter, Newton North (Newtonville, Mass.)
5-11 | Senior | Wing | Florida State

An athletic combo guard who gets to the rim and scores from the perimeter.

Ana Llanusa, Choctaw (Okla.)
6-0 | Senior | Wing | Oklahoma

Gatorade state Player of the Year.

Dara Mabrey, Manasquan (N.J.)
5-7 | Junior | Guard | Undecided

Just like her older sisters, Gatorade state Player of the Year. Diamond Miller, Franklin (Somerset, N.J.)
6-1 | Sophomore | Guard | Undecided

Led her team to New Jersey Tournament of Champions title.

Alexis Morris, Legacy Christian Academy (Beaumont, Texas)
5-7 | Senior | Guard | Baylor

Gatorade state Player of the Year and McDonald's All-American.

Chyna Nixon, Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia)
5-9 | Senior | Guard | Mississippi

Helped her team to a third consecutive Pennsylvania title, this time in 3A.

Khayla Pointer, Holy Innocents Episcopal (Atlanta)
5-7 | Senior | Guard | LSU

Athletic point guard who distributes and can get to the rim.

Elle Ruffridge, Pocahontas (Iowa)
5-3 | Senior | Guard | Missouri State

She's the career scoring leader in Iowa and led her team to back-to-back titles. Gatorade state Player of the Year.

Myah Taylor, Olive Branch (Miss.)
5-6 | Senior | Guard | Mississippi State

Top player on No. 25 team in the country, led Olive Branch to the Mississippi 6A title and was Gatorade state Player of the Year.

Jade Williams, The Colony (Texas)
6-4 | Senior | Post | Duke

McDonald's All-American.

Kiana Williams, Wagner (San Antonio)
 5-7 | Senior | Guard | Stanford

McDonald's All-American.

Madison Wise, Greenfield-Central (Ind.)
6-1 | Senior | Wing | Iowa State

Averaged a double-double and led team in assists.