Ohio Mr. Basketball finalists announced by OPSMA

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Prep Sports Media Association has announced the finalists for the 2026 Ohio Mr. Basketball Award. The winner will be announced next Thursday (March 19). Voting is currently underway for the 231 registered OPSMA members and will end at noon on March 16. The voting process for OPSMA members is the same as that used to determine the Heisman Trophy winner in college football. First place votes get three points, second-place votes get two points and third-place votes get one point. Ohio's Mr. Basketball was selected by the Associated Press from 1987-2016. Since 2017 it has been presented by the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association. The OPSMA All-Ohio teams will begin being released on March 23. Ohio Mr. Basketball FinalistsTrey Drexler, Brunswick, 6-0, sr.A two-time Mr. Basketball finalist who averaged a school-record 26.5 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting .497 from the floor, .451 from 3-point range and .850 at the foul line this season. The Blue Devils (20-3 heading into Saturday) set a school record for victories in a regular season and captured a consecutive league championship for the first time, making Drexler the unanimous repeat choice as player of the year in one of the toughest public-school leagues in Ohio. The IU Indy recruit's season ended with a broken wrist sustained in a fall against Euclid on Feb. 17, placing him second in Medina County history with 1,754 points in 91 career games. Among his top scoring efforts were 31 and 37 points against traditional D-I power Mentor and 30 apiece against Akron Hoban and defending Div. IV state runner-up Glenville. Cameron Elwer, Delphos St. John's, 6-2, sr.Last year's Mr. Basketball runner-up is an NCAA Division I Furman University commit. During the regular season, Elwer averaged 29.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists and two steals per game for the undefeated Blue Jays (25-0) from the Midwest Athletic Conference. Also the class salutatorian with a 4.1 grade-point average. Elwer shot 64 percent from the field, including 59 percent from the three-point line, and shot free throws at a 93-percent clip. A four-time District 8 Player of the Year, Elwer is also a four-time All-MAC first team selection, including as the unanimous MAC POY for the past three seasons while leading the Jays to three straight league titles. Entering the regional tournament, Elwer had 2,664 career points, which is seventh all-time in OHSAA history. He recently passed LeBron James on the Ohio scoring list and was 18 points shy of passing Geno Ford (2,681) for sixth all-time. Already the program's all-time points leader, Elwer recently became the Jays' career assist record holder as well. St. John's is 87-14 in Elwer's 101 career games entering the regional tournament. Marcus Johnson, Garfield Heights, 6-2, sr.The state's reigning Mr. Basketball has been even better this season, averaging 30.1 points with 7.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.7 steals. Johnson has done it with a younger team that returned no other starters and played a tougher schedule that included a trip to the City of Palms Classic in Florida during December. Johnson has been an All-Ohio first-team selection for the Bulldogs since his freshman season, including twice in Division I. Johnson is headed to South Carolina after initially committing as a sophomore to Ohio State. Gator Nichols, Maysville, 6-0, sr.Two-time East District Player of the Year and reigning D-IV Ohio Player of the Year. Averaging 24.2 points, 3.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals for the defending state champions. Shooting 45% FG, 68 3s (40%), 77%FT (117-152). All-time scoring leader in Maysville history (1,858 points heading into the regional tournament). Through 99 career games he has 326 assists, 319 rebounds and 161 steals (three straight seasons of 50 or more). Trey Sagester, Tri-Village, 6-3, sr.,Two-time Division VI Southwest District and Western Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Year and the reigning OPSMA Div. VI Player of the year is averaging 24.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.7 steals for the undefeated Patriots. Back-to-back District 9 POY and North/South All Star Game rep is the school's all-time leading scorer (recently surpassed 2,000 points). Has 92 career wins. On pace to play in the top five most games, to be a top 20 three-point maker, and a top 25 scorer in OHSAA history. Jason Singleton, Columbus Academy, 6-4, sr.The Central District and two-time District 10 player of the year, Singleton is the Central District's nominee for Mr. Basketball. After leading Academy to a state runner-up in 2025 when he made third-team All-Ohio, the guard is averaging 21.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.7 steals and 1.0 block while shooting 51 percent from the field (31 from 3-point range with 40 made) for a top-seeded 21-4 district championship team riding a 17-game win streak. A four-year starter with over 1,300 career points, Singleton has helped the Vikings to a 92-13 record during that span. After entertaining offers from many Power Five programs (including Ohio State, where his father Jason Sr. was a standout from 1995-99 on the Buckeyes' last Final Four team), Singleton signed with Harvard. Josh Tyson, Lakota West, 6-3, jr.Southwest District and Greater Miami Conference Player of the Year averages 16.5 points, 3.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.1 steals. Super quick guard who led team to 21-1 regular season with only loss to national prep power La Lumiere, 72-71 in overtime, at Flyin' To The Hoop when he scored 28 points. Has led team to regionals. A four-star recruit being courted by numerous Power 5 schools. -----------------------------Past Ohio Mr. Basketball Ohio winners2025: Marcus Johnson, Garfield Heights2024: Colin White, Ottawa-Glandorf2023: Devin Royal, Pickerington Central2022: Gabe Cupps, Centerville2021: Malaki Branham, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary2020: VonCameron Davis, Columbus Walnut Ridge2019: Samari Curtis, Xenia2018: Dane Goodwin, Upper Arlington2017: Kaleb Wesson, Westerville South2016: Xavier Simpson, Lima Senior 2015: Luke Kennard, Franklin2014: Luke Kennard, Franklin2013: Marc Loving, Toledo St. John's Jesuit 2012: Justin Fritts, Mentor2011: Trey Burke, Columbus Northland 2010: Jared Sullinger, Columbus Northland2009: Jared Sullinger, Columbus Northland2008: William Buford, Toledo Libbey 2007: Jon Diebler, Upper Sandusky2006: O.J. Mayo, North College Hill2005: O.J. Mayo, North College Hill2004: Jamar Butler, Lima Shawnee 2003: LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary2002: LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary2001: LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary2000: (tie) Tony Stockman, Medina; Chester Mason, Cleveland South1999: Emmanuel Smith, Euclid 1998: William "Sonny" Johnson, Garfield Heights 1997: Kenny Gregory, Independence1996: Jason Collier, Springfield Catholic1995: Damon Stringer, Cleveland Heights1994: Aaron Hutchins, Lima Central Catholic1993: Geno Ford, Cambridge1992: Greg Simpson, Lima Senior1991: Greg Simpson, Lima Senior1990: Bob Patton Jr., Youngstown Liberty1989: Jimmy Jackson, Toledo Macomber1988: Jimmy Jackson, Toledo Macomber