National high school girls basketball Player of the Year: Meet 20 top candidates

Here are 20 superstars who've had MVP-worthy performances as the postseason looms in most states

Playoff season officially began this week in high school girls basketball season, with Indiana being the first to tip off the postseason.

Several more states start the playoffs next week, and by March, state champions will be crowned across the country.

As the regular season winds up, we're featuring 20 players who've looked like the best of the best in 2023-24 in high school girls basketball.

Vote: Who has been 2023-24 national Player of the Year in high school girls basketball?

Read More

Vote: Who has been 2023-24 national Player of the Year in high school girls basketball?

Read More

From McDonald's All-Americans to outstanding underclassmen, here are 20 players who've had national MVP-worthy seasons thus far.

Dee Alexander, jr., Purcell Marian (Ohio)

Purcell Marian junior Dee Alexander is the defending Ohio Ms. Basketball.

Photo by Michael Noyes

The defending Ohio Ms. Basketball has a shot at becoming the first three-time winner of that award since 2022 WNBA first-round draft pick Kierstan Bell (Canton McKinley). Alexander is averaging nearly 20 points per game while getting plenty of rest as Purcell Marian has had several blowout wins.

Imari Berry, sr., Clarksville (Tennessee)

Berry has led Clarksville to a 19-0 record thus far this season, and she eclipsed the 2,000-point career mark in scoring. The 5-foot-10 guard will be playing for Clemson next season.

Sienna Betts, jr., Grandview (Colorado)

One of the most dominant post players in the country as a sophomore, it’s been more of the same for Betts as a junior. The 6-foot-4 UCLA commit is averaging 24.1 points, 15.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game this season.

Jaloni Cambridge, sr., Montverde Academy (Florida)

Another Tennessee native like Berry, Cambridge transferred to Montverde Academy after leading Ensworth to the state title in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023. The 5-foot-6 future Ohio State point guard is averaging 20.4 points, 8.4 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game this season.

Aaliyah Chavez, jr., Monterey (Texas)

The defending fans’ choice as national girls basketball player of the year in 2023, Chavez keeps getting better. The point guard and ESPN’s top-ranked player in the Class of 2025 is averaging 38.5 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and 3.2 steals per game this season.

Aaliyah Crump, jr., Minnetonka (Minnesota)

Minnetonka star Aaliyah Crump is one of the top-ranked junior recruits in the country.

Photo by Earl Ebensteiner

Crump was one of the best sophomores in the nation last year, averaging 22 points per game. The 6-foot-1 guard/wing has led Minnetonka to an undefeated season so far as a junior, averaging 26.2 points per game.

Jazzy Davidson, jr., Clackamas (Oregon)

Davidson, ESPN’s No. 2-ranked prospect in the Class of 2025, has Clackamas in the national rankings. The 6-foot-1 guard recently scored her 1,500th career point.

Kendall Dudley, sr., Sidwell Friends (DC)

Kendall Dudley will be playing college basketball at UCLA next year.

Photo by John Bowers

Dudley helped Sidwell Friends win the State Champions Invitational last year as a junior over Lone Peak, and she's stayed hot as a senior. The 6-foot-2 UCLA signee is averaging 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game playing on a loaded roster.

Joyce Edwards, sr., Camden (South Carolina)

A 6-foot-2 forward and South Carolina Gamecocks signee, Edwards is ESPN's No. 2-ranked senior recruit in the nation. The versatile scorer and defender was named an SBLive Junior All-American last year. She's averaging 31.7 points and 13.7 rebounds per game as a senior.

Katie Fiso, sr., Garfield (Washington)

Garfield star Katie Fiso has signed with the Oregon Ducks.

Photo by Vince Miller

Fiso looked like a strong candidate to become the first McDonald's All-American from Washington since Hailey Van Lith in 2020. She's the reigning all-classification state girls player of the year from 2022-23 and led the Bulldogs to their third consecutive Class 3A title last March. She signed with Oregon in November.

Avery Howell, sr., Boise (Idaho)

Howell is a grinder who "takes competitiveness to another level," according to one of her coaches. The 5-foot-11 guard has been one of the fastest risers in the country in the recruiting world and will be playing next year for USC. She's averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds and 3.3 steals as a senior.

Zamareya Jones, sr., North Pitt (North Carolina)

Jones is a human highlight reel who plays with flair on the court. Expect the 5-foot-7 point guard heading to NC State to draw some oohs and ahs in April. She's averaging 27.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.1 steals per game this season.

Kate Koval, sr., Long Island Lutheran (New York)

Long Island Lutheran post Kate Koval is one of the top-ranked senior recruits in the country.

Photo by Lonnie Webb

As dominant as Koval is around the glass, the 6-foot-4 post can also step out and shoot the 3. The Notre Dame commit — who recently eclipsed 1,000 career points — is arguably the toughest player to guard in the country.

Maddy McDaniel, sr., Bishop McNamara (Maryland)

Few can compete with McDaniel's speed, and the 5-foot-9 point guard loves to attack the rim and draw contact. She'll be playing for fellow point guard Dawn Staley next year at South Carolina.

Liv McGill, sr., Hopkins (Minnesota)

Liv McGill is one of the most dynamic point guards in the country.

Photo by Earl Ebensteiner

McGill is lightning-quick and an expert passer, and her shooting has come a long way over her high school career. She’s averaging 22.1 points per game this season and will be playing for Florida next year. 

Arianna Roberson, sr., San Antonio Clark (Texas)

Roberson is averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds per game in her senior season. The 6-foot-4 athletic forward should be an excellent rim protector for Duke next season.

Kennedy Smith, sr., Etiwanda (California)

Etiwanda star Kennedy Smith has signed to play for USC next season.

Photo by Heston Quan

Smith can play any position and look like the best player on the court. She can shift from guarding point guards to posts while filling it up inside and outside on offense. She's arguably the marquee player in the USC Trojans' No. 1-ranked incoming class.

Sarah Strong, sr., Grace Christian (North Carolina)

Strong is the top-ranked recruit in the senior class and one of the few who remains uncommitted for college. The 6-foot-2 dynamo is listed as a forward but she can take over a game playing any position.

McKenna Woliczko, so., Archbishop Mitty (California)

Archbishop Mitty's McKenna Woliczko is a sophomore superstar in basketball and softball.

Photo by Dan Brood

The lead player for the No. 1 team in the country despite playing alongside a McDonald’s All-American, Woliczko can do it all on the basketball court. The versatile 6-foot-2 five-star prospect was named national Freshman of the Year a season ago. She is also a standout in softball. 

Allie Ziebell, sr., Neenah (Wisconsin)

Ziebell recently eclipsed 2,500 career points in high school and is averaging 28.2 this season. UConn coach Geno Auriemma is going to love her tenacious defense and high work rate.

—

-- Mike Swanson | swanson@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports