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.
Pupualii Sepulona of
St. Louis (Honolulu) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps Hawaii High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3 sophomore forward led the Crusaders to a 27-7 record and second consecutive Division I state championship.
Sepulona averaged 18.3 points per game on the season. In the championship game victory over Campbell, he scored 15 points and earned most outstanding player honors for the state tournament.
A contributor on last year's state championship team, Sepulona has scored 700 points in his first two seasons at St. Louis. Against national powerhouse Montverde Academy (Fla.) in December at the 'Iolani Classic, he piled up 27 points and hit three 3-pointers.
Hawaii Player of the Year Pupualii Sepulona at the line during a December game against national powerhouse Montverde Academy. (Photo: Brian Bautista)
Aiva Arquette of St. Louis was the 2021-22 Hawaii Player of the Year. Currently a freshman in the University of Washington baseball program, Arquette averaged 17.1 points per game last season to help the Crusaders capture their first state title in 37 years.
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).
