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Who is your Fans Choice Boys Basketball Preseason Player of the Year?

Now fans have a chance to voice their opinion by voting in the 2026 StarNews Boys Basketball Preseason Player of the Year Poll, which includes 21 nominees from each of the area's 13 squads.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 1 source•1 min read•Updated November 11, 2026, 9:01 AM UTC
Key points
  • The 2026 North Carolina high school boys basketball season has already arrived as teams across the state can begin action as early as Wednesday, Nov.
  • Parents, coaches, and athletic directors: When casting your vote, send a headshot photo of your athlete to [email protected] to include in the winner's article.
  • Malachi McDuffie, junior, Douglas Byrd — While Malachi is the shortest player on the list at 5-foot-9, Byrd's point guard has one of the biggest motors in the area.

After helping Douglas Byrd return to relevance a season ago, he finished the season with an 18-8 record, the Eastern Sandhills Conference Player of the Year award, and averaged 18.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 64% from the field.

Additional details
  • Smith — Mason is a new transfer from Fayetteville Academy with one of the highest ceilings in the Fayetteville area and is regarded as the next player to blow up.
  • Smith — Nick Smith, the lefty point guard, is one of the craftiest ball handlers in Cumberland County, and his sophomore year put the state on notice.
  • Christian Baynes, senior, Fayetteville Academy — Baynes is arguably the best all-around player in Cumberland County coming into the season.
  • Vote now as many times as you like below.
  • Jeremiah Murchison, sophomore, Northwood Temple — Murchison is one of the most athletic guards in the area, and can score with the best of them, showcasing an array of 40-point performances last season at KSR.

How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →

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Every article behind this summary — 2 articles from 1 outlet

Yahoo SportsNovember 11, 2026, 9:01 AM UTC → Yahoo SportsNovember 11, 2026, 9:01 AM UTC →

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