Video: MaxPreps National Basketball Player of the Year - Ben Simmons
See an interview with the top boys basketball player in the nationBen Simmons left his home in Australia and enrolled at
Montverde Academy (Fla.) in January of 2013, debuting for the Eagles a few months later at the National High School Invitational (now known as Dick's Nationals).
His arrival signaled the beginning of one of the most successful runs in high school basketball history.
With Simmons on the floor, the Orlando-area program has accumulated a record of 62-1, captured three Dick's Nationals crowns and earned national championship recognition from multiple media outlets each of the past three seasons.
The 6-foot-9 forward now has another line to add to his rapidly growing resume – MaxPreps National Player of the Year.
Simmons is the first player born outside the United States to receive the honor (see complete list below).
Graphic by SocialRecluse Graphx
The decision was a no-brainer after his performance last week at Dick's Nationals in New York City. Simmons put up 19.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game in the event, leading Montverde Academy past then-No. 1 Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) in the final.
For the season, Simmons tallied 27.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game as the Eagles went 31-1 and finished the season ranked No. 1 nationally by MaxPreps.
A future LSU Tiger, Simmons earned MaxPreps National Junior of the Year honors in 2013-14 after averaging over 18 points and nine rebounds per game.
Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year2014 – 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)
