 | This article's factual accuracy may be compromised due to out-of-date information. (May 2022) |
| Mr. Basketball USA | |
|---|---|
 Wilt Chamberlain is recognized as the first Mr. Basketball USA | |
| Awarded for | High school basketball's top male player |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | Ballislife (EA Sports 2003–2009; Student Sports 1996–2002) |
| First award | 1996 (retroactive to 1955) |
| Currently held by | Cameron Boozer |
Mr. Basketball USA, formerly known as the ESPN RISE National Player of the Year and EA SPORTS National Player of the Year, is an award presented annually to the best-performing United States boys' high school basketball player as determined by Ballislife.com. Over the years, the award has been the property of different organizations: From 1996–2002, the award was presented by Student Sports; from 2003–2009, it was presented by EA Sports.[1]; and from 2010–2012, the award was presented by ESPN HS. In the final year of this span, 2012, the award was given retroactively to a player of each year from 1955–1995, 1955's recipient being Wilt Chamberlain.
According to information posted online by Ballislife, "Selections are based on high school accomplishment, not future college/pro potential, and are reflective of those that lead their teams to state championships. Ballislife does not knowingly select fifth-year players, and those ineligible due to age or academics, Mr. Basketball USA or to its various All-American teams."[1] Furthermore, selection uses "on-the-floor performance" without regard to academics, volunteer work or most other off-the-court criteria.[2]
Current selections are made through a season-long polling process of a 10-member expert panel with a final year-end ballot to determine the winner. The panel includes five McDonald's All-American selection committee members. The panel is polled weekly for a list of the top seven national player of the year candidates regardless of graduating class. The votes are then translated into a 10-point scoring system, with 10 points for a first-place vote, nine points for second-place vote, and down to four points for a seventh-place vote.[2]
- ^ a b Flores, Ronnie (April 16, 2012). "Mr. Basketball USA winners: ESPNHS national player of the year honorees date back to 1955". ESPN HS. Alt URL
- ^ a b Flores, Ronnie (January 5, 2012) [November 17, 2011]. "Preseason Mr. Basketball USA Tracker: Shabazz Muhammad is target". ESPN HS. Retrieved January 15, 2012.