Meet the 2025-26 Varsity Maine boys basketball All-State team
Two juniors and two freshmen are among the high-scoring, guard-heavy group.
Proud to support Varsity Maine All-Region players and teams.
Hammond Lumber Company serves contractors, homeowners and DIYers from 34 locations across Maine and New Hampshire. hammondlumber.com
Nolan Ames, Camden Hills senior guard
The Varsity Maine Player of the Year, as well as the Mr. Maine Basketball winner and the Maine Gatorade Player of the Year, Ames is the only returning VM All-State player. He dominated from the first game of his season to the last, scoring 30 points on an array of shots in a Class A championship game loss to Portland. The Colby College-bound all-around talent averaged 26.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.2 steals.
Carter Brathwaite, Cony freshman guard
One of the headliners of a freshman group regarded by some as the best the state has seen, the 6-foot-4 guard averaged 20.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists while making 58% of his shots as the focal point of a Cony team that finished 18-3, was the only team to beat Camden Hills in the regular season, and reached the Class B North final.
Dylan Gendron, Sanford senior guard
A first-team SMAA selection, Gendron led the Spartans to an 18-2 season and their first regional quarterfinal win since 1996. Especially effective going to the basket, Gendron also made 33 3-pointers in the regular season while averaging 17.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals.
Tyrie James, Windham senior guard
The SMAA Player of the Year and a Mr. Maine Basketball finalist, the 5-foot-10 James finished an outstanding high school career that included state championships as a sophomore and junior by leading Class A South in scoring (21.2 points) and assists (4.4) per game, while also averaging 5.1 rebounds and 2.7 steals. James plans to do a year of postgraduate studies and play basketball at Phillips Exeter Academy.
Aden Jeffers, Fort Kent junior guard
The 6-4 point guard was at his best in the postseason, averaging 28 points, hitting a game-winner at the buzzer in the Class C North final, then scoring 30 points to go with 10 rebounds as Fort Kent beat Maranacook to win its first boys basketball state championship. For the season, Jeffers averaged 24 points, nine rebounds, three steals and four assists.
Darius Johnson, South Portland senior forward
A first-team SMAA all-star who was also a Varsity Maine All-State selection in football, the 6-foot-5 inside presence averaged 18.0 points and a Class A South-leading 11.2 rebounds while making 55.3% of his shots. He also contributed 1.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game.
Reece MacDonald, York senior guard
The 6-foot-1 guard scored over 1,000 points in his career, and this season averaged 20.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Possessing an array of moves in and around the paint, MacDonald was named the Western Maine Conference Player of the Year.
Akol Maiwen, Edward Little senior guard
One of the three finalists for the Mr. Maine Basketball Award, Maiwen averaged 22.9 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists this season. At 6-foot-3 and a skilled passer, he impacted the game at both ends of the court. Maiwen plans to attend a prep school.
Mason Nguyen, Medomak Valley senior guard
After averaging 21.2 points during the regular season, the 6-foot-3 guard raised his game in the Class B South playoffs, averaging 25.3 points. For the season, he averaged 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists, and made 48 3-pointers. He’ll attend UMaine-Farmington.
Loic Ramazani, Portland senior guard
The inspirational and defensive leader for Class A champion Portland, the 5-11 guard averaged 12 points, 7.1 rebounds (seventh in A South), 3.7 assists and a league-leading 5.8 steals, and made 29 3-pointers on 44% shooting (second in A South).
Khaelon Watkins, Cheverus freshman guard
Featuring a strong 6-4 frame, the ability to penetrate and elevate for his shot, and a willingness to guard the opponents’ top players no matter their position, Watkins averaged 20.0 points and 7.5 rebounds, earning first-team SMAA honors and the league’s Rookie of the Year award.
James Witham, Mount Desert Island junior guard
The Big East Player of the Year scored his 1,000th career point midway through his junior season and played a lot bigger than his 5-10 height, averaging 26.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 steals.
Coach of the Year
Aaron Toman, Gardiner: Toman, a Gardiner High grad, drew praise from peers around the state for his program-building as he guided the Tigers to the Class B championship — the first boys basketball title in school history. Portland coach Joe Russo was strongly considered after his team overcame multiple hardships to win the Class A title.
