Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school girls basketball. The tradition continues to close out the 2024-25 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.
Leelee Bell of
Minot is the 2024-25 North Dakota MaxPreps Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3 junior guard led the Magicians to a 24-3 record and third-place finish in the Class AA state tournament.
For the season, Bell averaged 27.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
Bell topped 2,000 career points this season and became the Class A/Division AA all-time leading scorer with 2,404 points, passing the 2023-24 North Dakota Player of the Year Jocelyn Schiller in the state semifinals.
Regarded as a top 50 prospect in the Class of 2026 by
247Sports, Bell has received offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, DePaul, Iowa, Iowa State, Maryland, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Virginia Tech among others.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which is scheduled to be released in April. Past selections include 2024 WNBA Most Valuable Player A'ja Wilson (2014) as well as 2024 All-WNBA first team picks Caitlin Clark (2020), Napheesa Collier (2015), Breanna Stewart (2012) and Alyssa Thomas (2010).
Past North Dakota MaxPreps Players of the Year2021-22 — Logan Nissley, Century (Bismarck)
2022-23 — Logan Nissley, Century (Bismarck)
2023-24 — Jocelyn Schiller, Red River (Grand Forks)
