Preseason Player of the Year: Nevaeh Zavala Dominates with Scoring, Rebounding, and Elite Intensity
Nevaeh Zavala, a 6’0” junior forward for High Point, is the 2025-26 Big South Preseason Player of the Year after leading the Panthers to the 2025 Big South Tournament title [2][4]. Her differentiators include a career-high 33-point explosion, a championship-game double-double (16 pts, 10 reb), and a game-winning free throw with 0.5 seconds left in double overtime vs. Yale [2][3]. Beyond stats, Zavala brings relentless defensive intensity, clutch composure, and leadership that elevates the entire team [2]. She averaged 18.0 points and 7.5 rebounds during her Player of the Week stretch in December 2025 [3]. With no reported injury history and a reputation for high-energy play, she’s a perfect fit for teams needing a versatile, battle-tested forward who can score, rebound, and close games under pressure [2][3].
