The National Player of the Year for high school basketball will be announced following the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. Awards will be given for both boys’ and girls’ categories.
Earlier in the season, a preliminary list of 25 candidates was revealed, and impressively, few have underperformed. Many featured players, boasting remarkable stats and achievements, have even exceeded expectations. As of now, only one player, fingers crossed, has faced a season-ending injury.
To further showcase talent, we’ve included five additional players who have demonstrated they deserved consideration from the start. These names appear at the end of the initial 25.
High School Girls Basketball National Player of the Year Watchlist
(Names are listed in alphabetical order by last name)
1. G/F Darianna “Dee” Alexander, Purcell Marian (Cincinnati), Sr.
Standing at 6-foot-1, this 5-star wing prospect has already committed to the University of Cincinnati. A two-time Ohio State Player of the Year, she continues to bolster her chance for a third title. Just days after earning a spot on the McDonald’s All-American team, she recorded a school-record 50 points in just three quarters during a 95-49 victory over Roger Bacon last week.
According to Cincinnati’s gobearcats.com, Alexander has maintained an impressive average of 23.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.6 steals throughout her high school career, shooting an outstanding 60.4% from the field. Her 50-point game surpassed her own school record of 49 set in her freshman year and has propelled her to a total of 2,139 career points. ESPN HoopGurlz ranks her as the No. 8 senior player in the nation.
2. C Sienna Betts, Grandview (Aurora, Colo), Sr.
The 6-4 UCLA signee showcased her skills with averages of 22.5 points, 15.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.2 steals last season, and has improved her stats to 23.5 points, 16.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.8 blocks this season, helping her team to a 12-3 record. She will team up with her sister Lauren at UCLA next year and was a clear pick for the McDonald’s All-American team.
3. G Addison Bjorn, Park Hill South (Riverside, Mo), Jr.
The versatile 6-1 talent can handle multiple positions, being effective as a point guard, shooting guard, or small forward. She is rated as the No. 11 junior recruit nationally by ESPN. Under her leadership, the Panthers have kicked off their 2024-25 season at 15-0, a significant improvement from last season’s 12-11 finish. Bjorn leads her state in scoring with an impressive average of 22.40 points, complemented by 12.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. Recently, she narrowed her college options, which now include UCLA, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Kansas State, Duke, North Carolina, UConn, Stanford, Iowa, Indiana, Tennessee, Iowa State, Louisville, and Notre Dame.
4. G Divine Bourrage, Davenport North (Iowa), Sr.
Another noteworthy 5-star recruit, this 6-foot combo guard can make an impact in various ways, having averaged 19.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.8 steals last season. The LSU signee has started strong this year with a 10-4 record overall and 9-1 in conference play. Bourrage recorded 13 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in a recent victory against Central DeWitt. After 14 games, she holds averages of 19.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, according to gobound.com.
5. G Aaliyah Chavez, Monterey (Lubbock, Texas), Sr.
Chavez, an electrifying point guard, dominated last season with a staggering average of 37.8 points per game, along with 10.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 3.5 steals. The 5-11 athlete surpassed the 50-point mark in five games, leading the Plainsmen to a 31-6 record. Renowned as the top prospect across all classes, her remarkable journey continues this season, where she averages 35.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 3.7 steals after 33 games.
With a career total of 4,523 points across 141 games, she trails state leader Adrian McGowen of Goodrich (5,424 points); however, with a current record of 29-4 and the top state ranking, Monterey is poised for a serious title run. She earned a well-deserved spot on the McDonald’s All-American team and stands as a leading candidate for national Player of the Year.
6. F Brihanna Crittendon, Riversale Ridge (Colo.), Jr.
Ranked as the No. 10 player in her class by ESPN, this 6-3 wing averages 27.7 points and 3.0 steals per game after six contests. Last year, she averaged 28.9 points and 11.3 rebounds, with a standout performance of 45 points in one game. She recorded over 40 points in three games, driving her team to its first state championship by scoring 22 points and grabbing 19 rebounds in a 50-43 victory over Holy Family in the 4A finals. As a senior, she continues to impress, with averages of 26.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.9 steals through 15 games. Riverdale Ridge stands at 10-5 overall, with a perfect 5-0 record in league play.
7. G Aaliyah Crump, Montverde Academy, Sr.
Another standout 5-star recruit from preseason national No. 2 Montverde, this 6-1 player is a Texas signee who averaged 24.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.3 steals last season while playing for Minnetonka (Minn.). In her senior year, she hasn’t had to showcase her full capabilities as she averages 9.5 points, 1.7 assists, and 3.8 steals per game for the 18-1 Eagles, who are currently ranked No. 1 nationally by SBLive/High School on SI. Despite more understated stats this season, Crump has still made the cut for the McDonald’s All-American team.
8. F Jazzy Davidson, Clackamas (Ore.), Sr.
Tall, agile, and multifaceted, the 6-1 left-handed player excels for the Cavaliers (24-4 last season), showcasing impressive game averages of 26.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 steals, and 2.6 assists. Her future coach at USC, Lindsay Gottlieb, referred to her as the “jewel” of the 2025 class, labeling her “a true modern, pro-style player,” who can “score, create and defend.” She led the Cavaliers to a state championship in 2023 and a third-place finish in Oregon’s Class 6A in 2024, and this year her team sits at 11-2 and holds the No. 11 national ranking. Notably, she recently surpassed former ABL star Cindy Brown to claim the second spot on Oregon’s all-time high school scoring list. Her performance has continued to improve, with current averages of 28.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game.
9. F Oliviyah Edwards, Elite Sports Academy (Tacoma, Wash), Jr
The 6-3 forward is recognized as the No. 4 ranked junior in the nation by ESPN. Affectionately nicknamed “Big Oh!” she recently visited Tennessee and also made an unofficial trip to South Carolina this month.
10. G Maddyn Greenway, Providence Academy (Minn.), Jr.
This 4-star recruit, boasting over 40 offers, is the quintessential point guard who averaged over 30 points, seven assists, and four steals during her initial two seasons. In her last season, the 5-8 standout recorded averages of 34 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 4.5 steals, playing a crucial role in the state AA state championship victory. Through 17 games this season, she is maintaining an average of 31.3 points, 7.9 assists, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.1 steals per game for the undefeated 17-0 Lions.
11. G Saniyah Hall, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla), Jr.
The 5-11 guard represents another top transfer to the Eagles, as she averaged 25.6 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 3.4 steals last season while playing for the state runner-up, Laurel of Shaker Heights, Ohio. In 19 games, she has emerged as the Eagles’ leading scorer, averaging 20.4 points along with 6.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.6 steals per game.
12. G Kate Harpring, Marist (Atlanta, Ga), Jr.
The 5-10 standout is climbing the recruiting rankings after posting extraordinary averages of 27.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.7 steals, and 4.3 assists last season. She has played a significant role in leading the Eagles to an 18-2 start this season. Ranked No. 2 among juniors in the Class of 2026 by ESPN and first by 247Sports, the daughter of former NBA player Matt Harpring, Kate is currently averaging 32 points and 10 rebounds per game.
13. F Jayla Jordyn Jackson, Sidwell Friends (Washington DC), Jr.
Ranked as the No. 9 junior in the nation, this 6-1 standout averaged 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.1 steals last year for the 25-7 Quakers, significantly raising her performance in the 2024-25 season with averages of 22.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game across 12 games.
14. G/F ZaKiyah Johnson, Sacred Heart (Louisville, Ky), Sr.
This 5-star recruit, committed to LSU, is experiencing a comeback after a less-than-stellar junior year following two impressive seasons at the beginning of her prep career. With 16 games played, the 6-1 standout leads the 14-2 Valkyries with an average of 22.9 points per game, alongside 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.5 steals per contest. She has earned a spot on the McDonald’s All-American team.
15. F Grace Knox, Etiwanda (Calif.), Sr.
Her statistics might not be as dazzling as some of her peers on this list, primarily due to sharing the court with two All-Americans last season. However, the 6-3 LSU commit still managed to average 15.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game in 2023-24. Despite a slow start, the Eagles (19-4) have tackled one of the toughest schedules nationwide, recently winning 15 consecutive games thanks to Knox’s strong interior play, as she is now averaging a double-double. She has also been named to the McDonald’s All-American team.
16. G Natalie Kussow, Arrowhead (Wi.), Jr.
Rising significantly since averaging 18.1 points and 2.6 steals during her sophomore year, the 5-11 guard has surged to impressive averages of 24.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.6 steals per game for the 14-3 Warhawks. She is currently recognized as the No. 16 junior recruit nationwide.
17. G Agot Makeer, Montverde Academy, Sr.
On a team filled with recruiting powerhouses, this 5-star standout ranks No. 4 in the Class of 2025. The 6-1 wing player is averaging 10.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.8 steals through her first 13 games of 2024-25 for the nation’s top team. She has made the McDonald’s All-American selection.
18. F Ayla McDowell, Cypress Springs (Cypress, Texas), Sr.
This 6-2 wing has committed to powerhouse South Carolina, coming off a season where she averaged over 19 points and nine rebounds per game for the 30-3 Panthers, who are currently 24-3 following games played on January 24. McDowell, also a McDonald’s All-American selection, is putting up averages of 24.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.1 steals per game while shooting 51% from the floor.
19. G Aliyahna “Puff” Morris, Etiwanda (Calif.), Sr.
The Cal signee is ranked as the No. 24 player in the Class of 2025 according to ESPN and is known for her winning mentality. Despite standing at only 5-5, Morris’ impact on the court is immense. She has led Etiwanda to two consecutive California Open Division titles, averaging 16.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.8 steals per game last season.
“She’s the best small guard in the country,” stated Etiwanda’s coach after Morris dropped 37 points in a 79-56 victory over Carondelet at the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase. “She takes all challenges. She’s not afraid of the moment. We have seven rings at Etiwanda because of Puff Morris. She carries the weight and displays her heart.” Morris, along with teammate Knox, has been selected as a McDonald’s All American.
20. G Mia Pauldo, Morris Catholic (Denville, N.J.), Sr.
Following an impressive season where she averaged 18.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.1 steals for the 29-1 state champions, the 5-6 point guard is set to join the Tennessee program. The McDonald’s All-American has propelled the Crusaders to an outstanding 15-0 start this year, earning them a No. 9 national ranking, while she inches closer to 2,000 career points.
21. G Jerzy Robinson, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), Jr.
After Juju Watkins graduated, many believed the Trailblazers would face challenges last season, but Robinson proved to be an unstoppable force. Recognized as a top-three recruit from the Class of 2026, the 6-foot athlete averaged 22.5 points and 10.8 rebounds, helping her team finish among the nation’s top ten at 31-3. Her father played football at Oregon State, and she made the switch from Desert Vista (Phoenix), where she had averages of 22 points and 8.2 rebounds as a freshman. Now, she has the Trailblazers off to a remarkable 21-1 start in 2024-25 and a current No. 10 national ranking. She’s so accomplished that she already has her own Wikipedia page.
22. G Emilee Skinner, Ridgeline (Millville, Utah), Sr.
A 6-foot point guard heading to Duke, she is currently ranked as the No. 7 senior by ESPN. Last season, she guided her Millville team to its second consecutive state 4A title, with an average of 24.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4.55 assists, and 3.6 steals per game. This season, the Riverhawks are enjoying a perfect 20-0 record in 2024-25, with Skinner contributing an impressive 26.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. She, too, is a McDonald’s All-American.
23. G Kaleena Smith, Ontario Christian (Calif.), So.
Crowned as the 2023-24 SBLive Freshman of the Year, the standout lived up to her reputation even before arriving on campus last year, averaging 34.9 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.2 steals, while successfully sinking 179 three-pointers at a 41% success rate. The top recruit of her class led a relatively unknown program to a No. 19 national ranking and achieved a commendable 28-5 record.
This 5-6 dynamo is not just a fearless scorer; she’s also a skilled and eager passer. With the help of 6-foot-6 WNBA-caliber wing Sydney Douglas (16.8 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and 5-11 rising star Tatianna Griffin (17.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg), both freshmen, her playmaking abilities should expand further. Currently, Smith’s squad, ranked national No. 2, boasts a 24-1 record, with her averages standing at 23.8 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.6 steals per game.
24. C Olivia Vukosa, Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.), Jr.
A college-ready post player, the 6-4 talent is currently ranked fifth in her class by ESPN, following a season where she averaged 17.5 points, 18.8 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks for the 29-3 Royals, securing the CHSAA AA title. Her time with Croatia’s U16 national team was incredibly productive as well, where she averaged 22.6 points and 17.1 rebounds during the 2023 FIBA U16 European Championships. A powerful player with rapidly developing skills, she displayed her capabilities at the Hoophall Classic earlier this month, finishing with 25 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks.
25. F. McKenna Woliczko, Mitty (San Jose, Calif.), Jr.
Renowned for her boundless skill and tireless work ethic, Woliczko has consistently excelled, winning and improving continuously. Over the past two seasons, she was honored as the SBLive National Player of the Year for her class, leading the Monarchs to an impressive record of 58-4 and winning two Northern California titles. Last season, she averaged 22.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.5 steals, and 1.8 blocks while shooting a striking 64.6% from the field. Hailing from a family of college athletes, this driven junior has added a reliable three-point shooting range to her game.
Unfortunately, her promising junior year faced an abrupt halt due to a partial tear of her right knee ACL during a critical matchup against Ontario Christian in early January. At that time, she was instrumental in leading the Monarchs to the top of the national rankings, having already captured titles at the Nike Tournament of Champions and the La Jolla Country Day Sweet 16 tournament, where she was named MVP in both. Fortunately, updates from her family suggest she is progressing faster than expected on her recovery journey.
5 ADDITIONS TO WATCHLIST (alphabetical)
26. G Jaida Civil, Palm Bay (Melbourne, Fla.), Sr.
This 6-foot standout, ranked No. 32 among seniors in the country by ESPN, is experiencing a surge in recruitment thanks to averages of 19.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.4 steals, and 5.6 assists per game. Selected for the McDonald’s All-American team, her squad stands at a competitive 17-7 with the postseason looming.
27. G Addie Deal, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), Sr.
The Iowa signee is making invaluable contributions to her fifth-ranked team (23-2) in the nation, which is currently on a 12-game winning streak, averaging a victory margin of 35 points. This 6-1 guard is not only scoring but also excelling in passing, defense, and overall leadership on the court. She has earned a place on the McDonald’s All-American team.
28. PF Alexandra Eschmeyer, Peak to Peak (Lafayette), Sr.
The 6-5 standout bound for Stanford is posting remarkable stats with averages of 25.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game for the 8-4 Pumas, who had a successful season at 21-5 last year. She has also secured a spot on the McDonald’s All-American team.
29. F Leah Macy, Bethlehem (Bardstown, Ky), Sr.
Lastly, a versatile frontliner committed to Notre Dame, she has led the Eagles/Banshees to a stellar 15-1 start, posting averages of 26.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 3.1 steals while shooting an impressive 62% from the field. Furthermore, she’s made an impressive 15 three-pointers with a 38% success rate.
30. G Brynn McGaughy, Central Valley (Spokane Valley, Wash.), Sr.
The 6-3 guard is leading the 4A/3A Greater Spokane League with an outstanding average of 17.3 points per game, contributing significantly to the Bears’ top-ranked status (16-0). An accomplished McDonald’s All-American selection, the Washington signee marks a notable addition as the sixth player from UW to participate in this prestigious game.
