Finalists for the 2024 New Mexico Mr. Basketball
Today, the NMPreps.com team has unveiled the finalists for the 2024 New Mexico Mr. Basketball award, honoring the standout performer of the 2023/2024 high school basketball season in New Mexico. Nominations from coaches and media outlets have been carefully evaluated, with the final winner determined through a 7-day voting process involving coaches, media members, and premium NMPreps members.
Brandon Kehres, 2024 (Organ Mountain High School/Las Cruces, NM) - Culminating a remarkable season, this senior forward for the Knights played an integral role in steering the team to a 5A runner-up position with an impressive 29-2 overall record. Kehres showcased his versatility, averaging 16.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.
Jesus Licon, 2025 (Highland High School/Albuquerque, NM) - A linchpin for the Highland Hornets, Licon played a pivotal role in securing the 2024 4A New Mexico high school basketball state championship. Licon's offensive prowess was unmatched, leading the state in scoring with an impressive average of 28.8 points per game.
Julian Bernardino, 2024 (Academy for Technology and The Classics/Santa Fe, NM) - Standing at 6-foot-3, Bernardino proved to be a force on the court. With an average of over 17 points per game, shooting an impressive 58% from beyond the arc and over 80% from the free-throw line, he was instrumental in leading the Phoenix to their historic 2024 2A state championship win.
Kenyon Aguino, 2025 (Volcano Vista High School/Albuquerque, NM) - As a junior forward, Aguino spearheaded the Hawks to an outstanding 30-1 record and clinched their third consecutive Class 5A state title. Aguino's contributions were across the board, averaging 22.7 points, 11 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game. With two Gatorade Player of the Year awards under his belt, he currently ranks as the No. 2 prospect in New Mexico high school basketball.
Honorable Mention
Cody Vassar-Steen, 2024, Farmington High School
Jalin Holland, 2025, Los Lunas High School
Jeffrey Stuteville, 2025, Magdalena High School
Latavious Morris, 2024, Atrisco Heritage Academy
Xavier Nez, 2025, Navajo Prep
Today, the NMPreps.com team has unveiled the finalists for the 2024 New Mexico Mr. Basketball award, honoring the standout performer of the 2023/2024 high school basketball season in New Mexico. Nominations from coaches and media outlets have been carefully evaluated, with the final winner determined through a 7-day voting process involving coaches, media members, and premium NMPreps members.
Brandon Kehres, 2024 (Organ Mountain High School/Las Cruces, NM) - Culminating a remarkable season, this senior forward for the Knights played an integral role in steering the team to a 5A runner-up position with an impressive 29-2 overall record. Kehres showcased his versatility, averaging 16.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.
Jesus Licon, 2025 (Highland High School/Albuquerque, NM) - A linchpin for the Highland Hornets, Licon played a pivotal role in securing the 2024 4A New Mexico high school basketball state championship. Licon's offensive prowess was unmatched, leading the state in scoring with an impressive average of 28.8 points per game.
Julian Bernardino, 2024 (Academy for Technology and The Classics/Santa Fe, NM) - Standing at 6-foot-3, Bernardino proved to be a force on the court. With an average of over 17 points per game, shooting an impressive 58% from beyond the arc and over 80% from the free-throw line, he was instrumental in leading the Phoenix to their historic 2024 2A state championship win.
Kenyon Aguino, 2025 (Volcano Vista High School/Albuquerque, NM) - As a junior forward, Aguino spearheaded the Hawks to an outstanding 30-1 record and clinched their third consecutive Class 5A state title. Aguino's contributions were across the board, averaging 22.7 points, 11 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game. With two Gatorade Player of the Year awards under his belt, he currently ranks as the No. 2 prospect in New Mexico high school basketball.
Honorable Mention
Cody Vassar-Steen, 2024, Farmington High School
Jalin Holland, 2025, Los Lunas High School
Jeffrey Stuteville, 2025, Magdalena High School
Latavious Morris, 2024, Atrisco Heritage Academy
Xavier Nez, 2025, Navajo Prep
