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.
Jared McCain of
Centennial (Corona) is the 2022-23 MaxPreps California High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-2 senior guard led the Huskies to a 30-4 record and the CIF Open Division Southern California regional final.
For the season, McCain averaged 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists while shooting 46 percent from the field, 36 percent from 3-point range and 83 percent from the free throw line for the No. 11-ranked team in the MaxPreps Top 25. He scored a career-high 41 points on senior night.
Duke signee Jared McCain drives past the Don Bosco Prep (NJ) defender at the John Wall Holiday Invitational. (Photo: Jerrell Jordan)
During McCain's final two seasons at Centennial, the Huskies went 63-4 with a state title in 2022.
Headed to Duke next season, McCain is regarded as the No. 26 prospect in the Class of 2023 according to 247Sports. Gonzaga, Kansas and UCLA were among other programs to extend offers.
Donovan Dent of Centennial was the 2021-22 MaxPreps California Player of the Year.
Currently a freshman at the University of New Mexico, Dent averaged 16.4 points, 6.7 assists and 4.5 rebounds last season to help the Huskies to the program's first CIF Open Division state title and the No. 2 spot in the MaxPreps Top 25.
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).
