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 Collier of
Wheeler (Marietta) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Georgia High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3 senior guard led the Wildcats to a 26-6 record and the Class AAAAAAA state title.
For the season, Collier averaged 19.6 points, 6.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals while shooting 52 percent from inside the arc, 38 percent from 3-point range and 77 percent from the free throw line. He tallied a game-high 22 points and seven assists in the state title game.
Top-ranked senior Isaiah Collier faces the double-team against Cherokee in the state championship game. (Photo: Cecil Copeland)
During his four years at Wheeler, the program went 102-23 with state titles in 2020, 2021 and 2023.
Headed to USC next season, Collier is regarded as the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2023 according to 247Sports. Alabama, Michigan, North Carolina and UCLA were among other college programs to extend offers.
Bruce Thornton of
Milton was the 2021-22 Georgia Player of the Year.
Currently a freshman at Ohio State, Thornton averaged 17.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 7.5 assists last season to guide the Eagles to 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).
