WBCA Mr. and Ms. Basketball Winners List Since 1982

WBCA Mr. and Ms. Basketball Winners List Since 1982

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Zavier Zens and Natalie Kussow Crowned 2026 Mr. and Ms. Basketball in Wisconsin

Zavier Zens of Wisconsin Lutheran and Natalie Kussow of Arrowhead have been named the 2026 Mr. Basketball and Ms. Basketball, the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association announced, adding their names to a roll call that has honored the state’s top senior players every year since 1982.

The dual awards mark the latest chapter in a tradition that began in 1982 when Rick Olson of Madison La Follette and Jane Lobenstein of Portage took home the inaugural honors. Nominees are selected by current WBCA Executive Board members, while the final vote belongs to a panel of Hall of Fame coaches, a process designed to keep the recognition anchored in the coaching community’s judgment.

Zens becomes the second Wisconsin Lutheran player in three years to win the boys’ award, following Kon Knueppel’s 2024 selection. Kussow continues Arrowhead’s presence on the girls’ list after Hailey Oskey’s 2018 win.

From NBA Stars to Local Legends: A 45-Year Lineage

Since 1982, the awards have honored the most outstanding senior basketball players in Wisconsin. Milwaukee has produced multiple winners, including Kevon Looney of Milwaukee Hamilton (2014), an NBA champion, and Johnny Davis of La Crosse Central (2020), a first-round draft pick. Other NBA alumni include Brandin Podziemski of St. John’s Northwest Academies (2021), Diamond Stone of Dominican (2015), and Devin Harris of Wauwatosa East (2001).

WBCA Mr. and Ms. Basketball Winners List Since 1982

Arike Ogunbowale of Divine Savior Holy Angels, the 2015 winner, led Notre Dame to a national title before becoming the top overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft. The list also features McKenna Warnock of Monona Grove (2019), Lexi Donarski of Aquinas (2020), and Kamorea “KK” Arnold of Germantown (2023).

In 2023, Milan Momcilovic of Pewaukee and John Kinziger of De Pere shared the boys’ award, while Sidney Cooks of Kenosha St. Joseph and Estella Moschkau of Edgewood split the girls’ honor in 2017. Sam Hauser and Trevor Anderson of Stevens Point shared the 2016 boys’ title.

One record remains unmatched: Mistie Bass of Janesville Parker won the girls’ award three consecutive years from 2000 through 2002, the only player in state history to earn Ms. Basketball multiple times. The award has been restricted to seniors only since that era.

Regional Representation Across the State

Madison schools have claimed titles across decades, from La Follette’s Rick Olson in 1982 to Memorial’s Jeronne Maymon (2009) and West’s Candas Smith (1999). Milwaukee Vincent produced three boys’ winners in the 1990s and 2000s: Greg Brown (2002), Marshall Williams (1999), and Jose Winston (1998).

Thorp’s Dolly Rademaker took the 1990 girls’ award, Wausaukee’s Anthony Pieper won the 1993 boys’ title, and Kohler’s Joe Wolf claimed the 1982 boys’ honor. Racine has produced multiple champions, including Robert Barnes of Horlick (1984) and Sonja Henning of Horlick (1987) on the girls’ side, plus Chris Jones of Milwaukee Hamilton (1989) and Martha Richards of Hudson (1988).

Wisconsin Athletes Win State Titles

Xzavion Mitchell of Oshkosh North and Amy Terrian of Pewaukee took the 2025 awards; Allie Ziebell of Neenah and Kon Knueppel claimed 2024; Kamorea “KK” Arnold, Milan Momcilovic, and John Kinziger shared 2023; Kamy Peppler of Hortonville and Seth Trimble of Menomonee Falls won in 2022; Bailey Butler of Black Hawk and Brandin Podziemski took 2021; Lexi Donarski and Johnny Davis won 2020; McKenna Warnock and Marcus Domask of Waupun claimed 2019; and Hailey Oskey and Jordan McCabe of Kaukauna were honored in 2018.

Zens and Kussow now join a legacy that includes Sam Dekker of Sheboygan Lutheran (2012) and Marcus Domask (2019). With the 2026 awards settled, the honors continue a tradition that has recognized Wisconsin high school basketball for nearly half a century.

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