Whitman’s senior forward Kaylah Tchoufa has been named Maryland Girls Basketball Player of the Year by the High School section of Sports Illustrated for the 2025–26 season, topping the readers’ poll with 47.83 percent of the vote. Her selection caps a dominant campaign that included an undefeated run and the MPSSAA 4A state title for the Vikings.
Votes, milestones and what they mean
Tchoufa finished the season averaging 17.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, earning MCPS West Division Player of the Year and a First-Team All‑Met nod. Those numbers, and Whitman’s historic unbeaten record, helped her outperform a deep field of finalists in a statewide poll that reflected both team success and individual achievement.
Several other players on the list also closed out seasons with notable honors and college plans, underscoring how the 2025–26 high school campaign reshaped recruiting and local power dynamics across Maryland.
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| Rank | Player | School | Poll share | Season highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kaylah Tchoufa | Whitman | 47.83% | Undefeated season; MPSSAA 4A champions; 17.8 PPG, 10.3 RPG |
| 2 | Kiera West | South River | 29.59% | Surpassed 1,000 career points; reached state semifinals; Third‑Team All‑Met |
| 3 | London Elliott | Poly | 19.68% | MPSSAA 3A champions; Baltimore City POY; 24 pts & 8 steals in title game |
| 4 | Katie Diao | Richard Montgomery | 0.69% | Yale commit; averaged 20.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG; reached state title game |
| 5 | Alexandra Vandiver | St. Mary’s | 0.69% | First‑Team All‑IAAM; historic career totals (1,500+ pts, 1,000+ rebs) |
| 6 | Bailey Harris | St. Mary’s | 0.55% | Rhode Island commit; St. Mary’s all‑time leading scorer (2,000+ points) |
| 7 | Qandace Samuels | Bishop McNamara | 0.34% | Standout contributor for McNamara |
| 8 | Alana Joy | C.H. Flowers | 0.28% | Key performer for C.H. Flowers |
| 9 | Adora Nwude | Bullis | 0.21% | Notable season for Bullis |
| 10 | Jaylah King | Bishop McNamara | 0.14% | Important role on McNamara squad |
| 11 | Autumn Welch | Bowie | 0% | Season contributor |
| 12 | Ivanna Wilson‑Manyacka | Bullis | N/A | Included among finalists |
Key takeaways:
- Tchoufa’s award signals both individual excellence and the weight of team accomplishments—an undefeated championship run still heavily influences voting.
- Several finalists are already committed to Division I programs, highlighting the season’s role in elevating recruiting visibility across Maryland.
- Statistical milestones—career point totals, double‑double streaks and rare all‑time benchmarks—helped separate candidates in a crowded field.
The Vikings’ unbeaten season also represents a milestone for coach Pete Kenah, whose senior class delivered Whitman’s first-ever perfect record. That achievement shaped the narrative around Tchoufa and helped translate local acclaim into statewide recognition.
Other finalists combined personal milestones with team success. South River’s Kiera West reached the 1,000‑point mark and pushed her team deep into the playoffs, while Poly’s London Elliott finished the season as a two‑time state champion and city player of the year after a standout title-game performance.
For college coaches and scouts, the results reinforce a simple point: the 2025–26 season produced a roster of prospects who paired big numbers with wins. That mix—production plus impact—remains a decisive factor as players transition to the next level.
The poll reflects readers’ impressions of a season that just concluded and helps set expectations for which programs and players will draw attention next year.
