High school boys basketball National Player of the Year Watch List

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The big news in high school basketball this week was the release of the McDonald's All-American Game rosters featuring 24 of the nation's best seniors.

We have a list of our own to drop and it also revolves around another major honor – MaxPreps National Player of the Year, which will be announced in early April. Recent winners include Ben Simmons, Lonzo Ball and Michael Porter Jr.

Find out who might be on track to join that prestigious group at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season. Leading Candidates

R.J. Barrett, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)
6-6 | Senior | Wing

Averaging 28.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game while leading top-ranked Montverde Academy to a 25-0 record. Barrett looks to return the Eagles to glory and capture the school's first Dick's Nationals title since the departure of Philadelphia 76ers star and former MaxPreps National Player of the Year Ben Simmons.

Vernon Carey Jr., University (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
6-10 | Junior | Forward

He's led 17-1 University to its highest ranking in school history and showed ability to dominate against the nation's top competition at the City of Palms Classic in December. Carey Jr. is averaging 26 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. Put up 29 points and 11 rebounds while guarded by future Kansas Jayhawk David McCormack of Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) in an ESPN-televised game Monday.

Ashton Hagans, Newton (Covington, Ga.)
6-3 | Junior | Guard

The Georgia Bulldogs hit the jackpot landing in-state point guard Hagans, an athletic difference-maker who makes things easy for his teammates. Hagans is a walking triple-double, with seven on the season while averaging 18.5 points, 11.0 assists, 8.5 rebounds and 4.0 steals on the year. Newton is 16-3 and will look to get over the hump this year and capture the 7A state title after falling in the quarterfinals to the eventual state champions last season.

Tre Jones, Apple Valley (Minn.)
6-4 | Senior | Guard

A future Duke Blue Devil, Jones is averaging 25.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.7 steals per game. Apple Valley is out to a bit of a slow start but still among the favorites to win a second straight Class 4A state title.

E.J. Montgomery, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.)
6-10 | Senior | Forward

Montgomery is averaging 26.4 points, 13.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting a gaudy 67 percent from the field. He continues to rise up the rankings and has put himself firmly in the POY conversation. Wheeler's record is so-so at 12-5 but a state title run would erase any memories of disappointing, early-season losses. Others to Consider

Devon Dotson, Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.)
6-2 | Senior | Guard

Kansas commit has been doing it all year, averaging 27.4 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. Dotson led Providence Day to the highly-competitive Chick-fil-A Classic title in December.

Keldon Johnson, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
6-6 | Senior | Guard

Johnson is the leading scorer for the 28-0 Warriors, averaging 20.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals per game.

Romeo Langford, New Albany (Ind.)
6-5 | Senior | Guard

Chasing down Indiana's all-time career scoring mark, Langford is averaging 33.5 points per game through his first 12 outings. He's led New Albany to a 11-1 mark and will look to get his team over the hump after falling short of a second straight state title last season.

Foster Loyer, Clarkston (Mich.)
6-0 | Senior | Guard

The Michigan State pledge is averaging over 27 points, five assists and five rebounds per game this season for 10-1 Clarkston.

Cam Reddish, Westtown (West Chester, Pa.)
6-8 | Senior | Guard

Pegged as the No. 2 prospect in the Class of 2018 by 247Sports, Reddish had a 53-point performance earlier in the year and is shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc.

Ja'Vonte Smart, Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.)
6-4 | Senior | Guard

Smart is having yet another excellent season, averaging 27.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 5.4 assist per games, leading Scotlandville to an 18-4 mark on the year.

Kyree Walker, Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix)
6-5 | Sophomore | Guard

The MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year in 2016-17, Walker is averaging 24.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 2.9 steals and 2.4 blocks per game for 18-5 Hillcrest Prep.

Trendon Watford, Mountain Brook (Birmingham, Ala.)
6-8 | Junior | Forward

Watford has led Mountain Brook to a 20-5 mark and had an impressive run at the City of Palms Classic in December, averaging 23.6 points, 13 rebounds and 5.5 assists over five games in Florida.

Coby White, Greenfield (Wilson, N.C.)
6-5 | Senior | Guard

The future North Carolina Tar Heel is averaging over 30 points per game to lead all scorers in North Carolina and has eclipsed the 3,000-point mark for his career. White has led Greenfield to a 17-6 record and has been a must-watch player all year.

Zion Williamson, Spartanburg Day (Spartanburg, S.C.)
6-7 | Senior | Forward

Despite playing in just a handful of games this season, Williamson cannot be left off the list. He's putting up monster numbers once again and a state title run could propel him into more serious consideration.

Past MaxPreps National Players of the Year
2017 — Michael Porter Jr., Nathan Hale (Seattle)
2016 — Lonzo Ball, Chino Hills (Calif.)
2015 — Ben Simmons, Montverde Academy (Montverde, 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 (Atlanta)
2008 — Brandon Jennings, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.)
2007 — Kevin Love, Lake Oswego (Ore.)
2006 — Greg Oden, Lawrence North (Indianapolis.)