MaxPreps Boys Basketball National Player of the Year watch list

Video: MaxPreps National Player of the Year candidates in action
See the stars in the running to join past winners like Harrison Barnes, Kevin Love and Ben Simmons. 

Here's a look at the mid-season credentials of 10 leading candidates for MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors (listed alphabetically):

Edrice "Bam" Adebayo, 6-9, Sr., F, High Point Christian Academy (High Point, N.C.)
The future Kentucky Wildcat is averaging 20.1 points and 12.8 rebounds per game and helped High Point Christian Academy take third place at City of Palms Classic. A big opportunity to make a POY statement comes this weekend at the Spalding Hoophall Classic against national No. 1 Chino Hills.

Lonzo Ball, 6-6, Sr., G, Chino Hills (Calif.)
Ball averages triple-double numbers for the nation's No. 1-ranked team. Alongside brothers LiAngelo and LaMelo, Lonzo has led the unbeaten Huskies to wins over teams from eight different states.

Anthony Cowan, 6-0, Sr., G, St. John's (Washington, D.C.)
Cowan has helped the Cadets carve out a spot in the national Top 25 by averaging 23.2 points per game. Losses to No. 4 Montverde Academy and No. 5 DeMatha have come by a total of six points.

Carsen Edwards, 5-10, Sr., G, Atascocita (Humble, Texas)
Players shouldn't have to hold five-star status to be in the mix for events like the McDonald's All-American Game and postseason awards. Edwards is a prime example, as few of his peers have accomplished more. Atascocita is 57-2 over the past two seasons and currently riding a 36-game regular season winning streak. The Purdue signee is averaging 25.4 points per game.

Markelle Fultz, 6-5, Sr., G, DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.)
Averaging 19 points per game for the No. 5 Stags, Fultz went for 30 points in a loss to No. 4 Montverde Academy and led DeMatha to a comeback win over No. 11 Garfield (Seattle) at the Les Schwab Invitational in Oregon.

Mustapha Heron, 6-4, Sr., G, Sacred Heart (Waterbury, Conn.)
It feels like Sacred Heart's season is just getting underway (they've played only eight games), but Heron and the Hearts have been dominant thus far. The Connecticut powerhouse is winning by an average margin of 39 points per game and has notched 37 consecutive victories going back to last season.

Markus Howard, 5-11, Jr., G, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)
The Arizona native is putting up the numbers (19.3 points, 3.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds per game) – now he just needs the showcase wins. Howard and the Pilots will get that opportunity over the weekend at the Spalding Hoophall Classic.

Josh Jackson, 6-7, Sr., G, Prolific Prep Academy (Napa, Calif.)
The uncommitted and unsigned star has missed a few games for Top 25 bubble team Prolific Prep, but he's been unbelievably productive when on the floor. The 6-7 guard is putting up 27.5 points, 12.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game.

Jayson Tatum, 6-8, Sr., G/F, Chaminade (St. Louis, Mo.)
The Duke signee is averaging 30.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while connecting on nearly 90 percent of his attempts from the free throw line. And he's done it against one of the nation's toughest schedules – the Red Devils have played six teams that have appeared in the Top 25 this season.

Gary Trent Jr., 6-5, Jr., G, Apple Valley (Minn.)
Trent is pouring in 28.6 points per game and has topped the 40-point mark three times. He's also grabbing 6.9 rebounds per game for 13-1 Eagles.

Seventh Woods, 6-2, Sr., G, Hammond (Columbia, S.C.)
The MVP of the Chick-fil-A Classic, Woods has the Skyhawks flying high with a 14-0 record and No. 12 national ranking. Hammond has won 31 games in a row going back to the 2014-15 season.

Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2015 – Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Fla.)
2014 – Stanley Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)
2013 – Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago)
2012 – Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.)
2011 – Austin Rivers, Winter Park (Fla.)
2010 – Harrison Barnes, Ames (Iowa)
2009 – Derrick Favors, South Atlanta (Ga.)
2008 – Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2007 – Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Ore.)
2006 – Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis)