Pickerington Central’s Devin Royal is Ohio Mr. Basketball, CVCA's Darryn Peterson was a finalist

Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
Pickerington Central's Devin Royal (21), dunking in a game vs. Africentric, is the 2023 Ohio Mr. Basketball winner.
Pickerington Central's Devin Royal (21), dunking in a game vs. Africentric, is the 2023 Ohio Mr. Basketball winner.
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COLUMBUS – Senior Devin Royal of Pickerington Central High School was named 2023 Ohio Mr. Basketball on Wednesday by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association. CVCA sophomore Darryn Peterson was a finalist for the award and a strong candidate to win it.

Peterson ended up finishing third in the statewide voting process conducted by members of the OPSWA.

Royal, an Ohio State recruit who led Pickerington Central to a state championship last year as a junior, has the Tigers back in the state tournament this weekend. In the Mr. Basketball voting, Royal edged out Centerville senior Gabe Cupps, who won the Mr. Basketball award last year. Royal had 90 votes compared to 87 for Cupps.

Peterson was third in the voting, followed by senior Dailyn Swain of Columbus Africentric, sophomore Jerry Easter II of Toledo Emmanuel Christian, senior Bede Lori of Caldwell and junior Luke Skaljac of Brecksville.

CVCA's Darryn Peterson takes his cut at the net after a 57-36 win over Northwest wrapped up a perfect season in the PAC-7, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.
CVCA's Darryn Peterson takes his cut at the net after a 57-36 win over Northwest wrapped up a perfect season in the PAC-7, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.

LeBron James is the only sophomore to win the award, which is now in its 36th year. It was first given by the Associated Press in 1988 with Jimmy Jackson, then a junior at Toledo Macomber, being the first recipient. It has been voted on by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association since 2017.

All-time list of Ohio Mr. Basketball Winners

LeBron James poses March 19, 2001, as the Beacon Journal District Player of the Year during his sophomore season at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
LeBron James poses March 19, 2001, as the Beacon Journal District Player of the Year during his sophomore season at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.

  • 2023 – Devin Royal, Pickerington Central

  • 2022 – Gabe Cupps, Centerville

  • 2021 – Malaki Branham, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary

Malaki Branham is all smiles after receiving the 2021 Mr. Basketball award. Branham, an Ohio State signee, scored 1,501 career points and was named first-team all-state twice.
Malaki Branham is all smiles after receiving the 2021 Mr. Basketball award. Branham, an Ohio State signee, scored 1,501 career points and was named first-team all-state twice.

  • 2020 – VonCameron Davis, Columbus Walnut Ridge

  • 2019 – Samari Curtis, Xenia

  • 2018 - Dane Goodwin, Upper Arlington

  • 2017 - Kaleb Wesson, Westerville South

  • 2016 - Xavier Simpson, Lima Senior

  • 2015 - Luke Kennard, Franklin High School

  • 2014 - Luke Kennard, Franklin High School

  • 2013 - Marc Loving, Toledo St. John's Jesuit

  • 2012 - Justin Fritts, Mentor

  • 2011 - Trey Burke, Columbus Northland

  • 2010 - Jared Sullinger, Columbus Northland

  • 2009 - Jared Sullinger, Columbus Northland

  • 2008 - William Buford, Toledo Libbey

  • 2007 - Jon Diebler, Upper Sandusky

  • 2006 - O.J. Mayo, North College Hill

  • 2005 - O.J. Mayo, North College Hill

  • 2004 - Jamar Butler, Lima Shawnee

  • 2003 - LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary

  • 2002 - LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary

  • 2001 - LeBron James, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary

LeBron James holds an issue of Sports Illustrated on Feb. 13, 2002. James was on SI's cover as a junior at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
LeBron James holds an issue of Sports Illustrated on Feb. 13, 2002. James was on SI's cover as a junior at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.

  • 2000 - (tie) Tony Stockman, Medina; Chester Mason, Cleveland South

  • 1999 - Isaac Jefferson, Columbus West

  • 1998 - William "Sonny" Johnson, Garfield Heights

  • 1997 - Kenny Gregory, Independence

  • 1996 - Jason Collier, Springfield Catholic

  • 1995 - Damon Stringer, Cleveland Heights

  • 1994 - Aaron Hutchins, Lima Central Catholic

  • 1993 - Geno Ford, Cambridge

  • 1992 - Greg Simpson, Lima Senior

  • 1991 - Greg Simpson, Lima Senior

  • 1990 - Bob Patton Jr., Youngstown Liberty

  • 1989 - Jimmy Jackson, Toledo Macomber

  • 1988 - Jimmy Jackson, Toledo Macomber

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Devin Royal is Ohio Mr. Basketball, Darryn Peterson finishes third