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.
Cameron Ward of
Largo (Upper Marlboro) is the 2023-24 Maryland MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 6-foot-7 junior forward led the Lions to a 25-2 record and Class 2A state championship.
For the season, Ward averaged 26.4 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.4 steals, 2.3 assists and 2.0 blocks per contest while shooting 60 percent from the field and 71 percent from the free throw line.
In a 66-52 victory over Carver-Vo Tech (Baltimore) in the state title game, Ward tallied 29 points, 16 rebounds, six blocks and five steals in a dominant performance.
Regarded as the No. 70 prospect in the Class of 2025 according to
247Sports, Ward holds offers from Arkansas, Florida State, Kansas State, Maryland, Michigan State, Tennessee, Texas, Villanova and Virginia among others.
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 Maryland MaxPreps Players of the Year2019-20 – Hunter Dickinson, DeMatha (Hyattsville)
2020-21 – Jordan Hawkins, DeMatha (Hyattsville)
2021-22 – Cam Whitmore, Archbishop Spalding (Severn)
2022-23 – Amani Hansberry, Mount St. Joseph (Baltimore)
