The Boys Basketball Player of the Year award goes to Rabun County’s stat sheet stuffer Connor McKay, the cheat code that led the Wildcats to a Sweet 16 appearance.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• 26.0 PTS/GAME
• 10.3 REB/GAME
• 5.5 AST/GAME
• 2.0 STL/GAME
• 2.0 BLK/GAME
• 65% FG
• 1,000+ Career PTS
• Region 8-AA Player of the Year
• 1st Team All-State

Connor McKay was a cheat code that equates to 26.0 points per game, along with a guaranteed double-double of 10.3 rebounds. He also added 5.5 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks per night, and shot an insane 65% from the floor. McKay eclipsed 1,000 career points, was named the Region 8-AA Player of the Year, and was a 1st Team All-State honoree.

VOTING RESULTS

1. Connor McKay – 71 pts (10 1st-place votes)
2. Jadon Yeh – 59.25 pts (5)
3. Collin Crowder – 34 pts (2)
4. Malachi Dooley – 29.75 pts (2)
5. Dalen Gales – 16 pts
6. Anfernee Hanna – 14.25 pts
7. Jones Harris – 8.5 pts

Voting included our 19-person panel made up of sports reporters, writers, video producers, former coaches, players, GHSA officials, and sports experts. The voting is Heisman-style, with the following points system:
1st place votes: 5 pts; 2nd: 3 pts; 3rd: 2 pts; 4th: 1 pts; 5th-6th: 0.5 pts; 7th-8th 0.25 pts

McKay scorched the voting with 71 total points and 10 1st-place tallies. Jadon Yeh wasn’t that far behind, as he took 5 top votes. Collin Crowder and Malachi Dooley also took a pair of 1st-place votes.

HISTORY OF BASKETBALL OF THE YEAR

• 2021-22 – Connor McKay – Rabun Co SR G/F
• 2020-21 – Kolby Moss – Towns Co SR G
• 2019-20 – Carl Cleveland – Banks Co SR G/F
• 2018-19 – Carl Cleveland – Banks Co JR G/F & Luke Chism – Dawson Co SR G
• 2017-18 – Dylan Orr – Banks Co SR F
• 2016-17 – Kahmal Wiley – Banks Co SR G/F
• 2015-16 – Zez Steeple – Banks Co SR G
• 2014-15 – Austin Venable – Banks Co SR C & Austin DiNofrio – Rabun Co SR G
• 2013-14 – Spencer Adams – White Co SR G
• 2012-13 – Tyler Dominy – Dawson Co SR G/F
• 2011-12 – Patrick Burns – Habersham Central SR F
• 2010-11 – Jacob Evans – Dawson Co SR G/F
• 2009-10 – Luke Crumley – White Co JR C

McKay gives Rabun County its first win of the Basketball POY award on the boys side since sharpshooter Austin DiNofrio in 2014-15. The boys POY award has almost always gone to a senior, with only 2 juniors ever claiming it. Once again, a senior takes the honors.

WHO WILL WIN IT NEXT YEAR?