Inside the McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Games

Posts Tagged ‘Advisory Council’

Game Week: Day 4

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Advisory Council Panel

Alonzo Mourning, Jay Williams and Jessica Davenport joined ESPN college sports analyst, Quint Kessenich, in the first-ever McDonald’s All American Advisory Council Panel. Quint served as the Panel’s moderator as Zo, Williams and Davenport dropped some knowledge on the players. The panelists and players took part in an interactive session touching on the Advisory Council’s three point mission of Charity, Legacy and Trust. The former McDonald’s All Americans shared with current players their experience during the Games and what they can expect to face at the next level and what waits for them in life after basketball.

zo

33 and Counting….

Everything that has a beginning has an end, and tonight, the 2010 McDonald’s All American Games concluded with a pair of East vs. West match-ups featuring the top male and female high school basketball stars to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. The McDonald’s All American Games are recognized as the premier showcase in all of prep basketball and this year’s crop of players did not disappoint.

Let’s Hear It For The Girls

The Girls Game, which featured some of the most athletic and talented players in recent history, kicked-off the night’s action. The West team edged out the East squad in a hard-fought 84-75 victory at the Value City Arena. Meighan Simmons and Natasha Howard rose above the rest, with 21 and 20 points respectively, earning them Co-MVP honors.

Boys Will Be Boys

brandon-knight-game-winner

The Boys game was a classic battle, and although hometown favorite and Co-MVP, Jared Sullinger, dropped a game high 24 points, it was not enough to propel the East squad past the West in a 107-104 nail-biter. Harrison Barnes lifted the West with a team-high 20 points, earning him Co-MVP honors, along with Sullinger, for the victorious West squad. Brandon Knight hit the game-winning shot with less than three seconds left.

sullinger-and-barnes1

For a complete recap of both Games, visit mcdonaldsallamerican.com.

Seeing Stars

In addition to Alonzo Mourning, captain of the McDonald’s All American Advisory Council, some high-profile professional and collegiate athletes made an appearance at this year’s Games including: Eddie George, Ohio State University guard, Evan Turner and Kentucky Wildcats John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins.

2011 McDonald’s All American Games

With less than a year until next year’s Games, it’s not too early to start talking about who will make the squad. As the online conversation heats up, be sure to check-in regularly at mcdonaldsallamerican.com or at Inside the Games for the latest official Games news.

Top Five of “Zo’s Top 33″

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

Alonzo Mourning Poses with Tyreke Evans, the 2008 McDonald's All American Games MVP

Alonzo Mourning Poses with Tyreke Evans, the 2008 McDonald's All American Games MVP

Hey everyone,

Alonzo Mourning here again.

 I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s post where I named 28 of the top 33 McDonald’s All Americans of all time for their efforts both on and off the court.

As promised, I wanted to share my top five picks with you now. Read next to each player to find out why I made these selections:

  • 1. Shaquille O’Neal (’89) - After Shaq was named the John Wooden MVP at the 1989 McDonald’s All American Games, he went on to become an NBA MVP, four-time NBA champion and 14-time NBA All Star. He frequently donates time and money to charitable causes, including donating more than $1 million to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and hosting his own fundraising events for important causes.

 

  • 2. LeBron James (’03) - LeBron brought down the house when he won the slam dunk contest during the 2003 McDonald’s All American Games. He went on to be the first overall NBA draft pick in 2003 and the NBA’s rookie of the year in 2004. He has been the NBA All-Star game MVP twice and was the 2008 NBA regular-season scoring champion. He empowers children and families through his own charity, the LeBron James Family Foundation. The Foundation has raised over $1 million to help communities and families.

 

  • 3. Patrick Ewing (’81) - Ewing, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was the Naismith college player of the year in 1985 and has been named one of the 50 greatest players in NBA History. He chaired the famous Stay in School program and has raised funds for children’s charities throughout his career.

 

  • 4. Earvin “Magic” Johnson (’77) - Magic played on the first-ever McDonald’s All American Team, was selected first overall in the ‘79 NBA draft, played on five NBA Championship teams and holds three NBA MVP awards. He also works tirelessly to develop programs that address the educational, health and social needs of urban communities with the Magic Johnson Enterprises and the Magic Johnson Foundation.

 

  • 5. Alonzo Mourning (’88) - (Summary written by Inside the Games) Mourning is the truest definition of the athlete-philanthropist. From winning the John Wooden MVP at the ‘88 McDonald’s All American Games to playing in seven NBA All-Star games and winning an NBA championship and to his countless charitable endeavors. He’s actively involved in Alonzo Mourning Charities and Athletes for Hope. He’s team captain of the McDonald’s All American Advisory Council.

 

I believe that these five players have redefined what it means to be a successful athlete. Their hard work and dedication on the basketball court have paid off. But all of these athletes are dedicated to bettering the lives of others and serving as role models.

What you think of my top five list? It was difficult choosing from the 743 men and 168 women who’ve played in the nation’s most prestigious high school all-star game. Who would you have included?

 I’m looking forward to another McDonald’s All American Games season this spring and hope to see you in Miami for the Games.

 Continue to check back on our blog and at mcdonaldsallamerican.com to get the latest news and updates on the program.

 Later,

Zo

My First 28 of “Zo’s Top 33″

Thursday, January 22nd, 2009

Kevin Durant, Co-MVP of the 2006 McD. All American Games

Kevin Durant, Co-MVP of the 2006 McD. All American Games

Hey McDonald’s All American fans,

Alonzo Mourning here again following up on my “Zo’s Top 33″ list I wrote about yesterday.

It’s crazy to think that I was a McDonald’s All American in 1988. Looking back, I’m so glad that I had that experience. It helped me realize that doing well off the court and giving back to my community was just as good a measure of a person as what you do on the court.

My Top 33 McDonald’s All Americans combine athletic prowess, team and community leadership, and have a vested interest in giving back.

For now, I’m listing players 33 through 6 (in alphabetical order) on my all time McDonald’s All American list and will follow up with a post next week with my top five picks. See below for a list and click on the link to see a bio of each player.

Zo’s Top 33 Players - 33 Through Six Full Bios

Anthony, Carmelo (’02)

Billups, Chauncey (’95)

Blue, Nikki (’02)

Bosh, Chris (’02)

Brand, Elton (’97)

Bryant, Kobe (’96)

Carter, Vince (’95)
Coleman, Derrick (’86)

Durant, Kevin (’06)

Fowles, Sylvia (’04)   

Garnett, Kevin (’95)

Hamilton, Richard (’96)

Hill, Grant (’90)

Howard, Dwight (’04)

Jordan, Michael (’81)

Kidd, Jason (’92)

McGrady, Tracy (’97)

Montgomery, Renee (’05)

Mullin, Chris (’81)

 Oden, Greg (’06)

Parker, Candace (’04)

Pierce, Paul (’95)

Stoudemire, Amare (’02)

Thomas, Isiah (’79)

Webber, Chris (’91)

Wilkins, Dominique (’79)

Wiggins, Candice (’04)

Worthy, James (’79)

What do you think of the first 28? Who do you think should make my top five list? Check out the media site for a list of McDonald’s All American alumni.

Send an e-mail to mcdonaldsallamericangames@yahoo.com or leave a comment.

 Zo

Hello from McD. All American Alum Alonzo Mourning

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

Alonzo Mourning, Captain of the McDonald's All American Advisory Council
Hey everyone,

 

I’m Alonzo Mourning, 1988 McDonald’s All American Games MVP and captain of the McDonald’s All American Advisory Council.

If you haven’t yet heard of the Advisory Council, our role is to help shape the future of this event while inspiring the top players of tomorrow to give back to their communities.

If you want to learn more about the Advisory Council and other members such as Greg Oden and Candace Parker, visit mcdonaldsallamerican.com.

Now for the fun part. McDonald’s recently asked me to name the top McDonald’s All American Games players of all time. This has never been done before!

I gladly agreed, but in the spirit of the Games, I plan to rank the top 33 players based on this very simple but important criteria:

  1. A former McDonald’s All American
  2. Exceptional performance and conduct on the court
  3. Exceptional performance and conduct off the court

 

It’s critical that we take into account a player’s athleticism, stats and overall game. But it’s equally as important we take into account all the good these players do for their communities. After all, giving back is what the McDonald’s All American Games is all about.

Stay tuned tomorrow right here when I’ll unveil the first 28 players on what I’m calling “Zo’s Top 33.” I encourage you to send along your recommendations!

Until next time,

Zo

 

 

 

 

 

Looking Back at the Past 31 Years

Tuesday, January 20th, 2009

Vintage McD. All American Game Photo

Vintage McD. All American Game Photo

Hello basketball fans,

Morgan Wootten here, chair of the McDonald’s All American Games selection committee. I hope you are well and enjoying basketball season. It’s been my pleasure to serve as the head of the McDonald’s All American Games selection committee since the first Game was played in 1978.

A few days ago we announced the nominees for the 2009 McDonald’s All American Games and we plan to unveil the 48 final team members selected to the teams on February 18 - stay tuned for additional information. You can also visit this site as the news is announced to see the confirmed list of players.

As we near the 2009 McDonald’s All American team selections, I wanted to take a moment to reflect back on the past 31 years of the Games – it’s hard to believe so much time has gone by and that so much has evolved since that first Game. All of the talent that has come through our doors adding to the Games’ prestige has been incredible.

 

In the first year that the boys Game was played, history was just beginning for our sport – we saw Wilt Chamberlain elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, Kentucky beat Duke 94-88 in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship, the Washington Bullets beat the Seattle Supersonics in the NBA Championship and future McDonald’s All Americans Shane Battier and Mike Bibby were just born.

Watching Battier and Bibby, among the thousands of other talented McDonald’s All Americans throughout the years go on to become future stars both in basketball and in life has been very exciting.

From the first girls Game that was played in 2002 to future stars LeBron James and Kevin Garnett, to Candace Parker being the first ever female to win the POWERade slam dunk contest – we’ve had a lot of great moments.

I’m looking forward to watching the new talent at the 2009 Games this year and continuing this tradition of excellence for many more years to come.

Tune back in mid January when a good friend of the Games and alumnus, Alonzo Mourning, will announce what he calls ‘Zo’s Top 33’, his top 33 McDonald’s All Americans of all time – best on and off the court. No one has ever ranked the all time McDonald’s All Americans so it will be exciting.

Who do you think should make Zo’s Top 33 of all time, and why? Send us your suggestions.

Take care,
Morgan Wootten

 

Morgan poses with Abby Waner and Josh McRoberts, both recipients of Morgan's Player of the Year award in 2005

Morgan poses with Abby Waner and Josh McRoberts, both recipients of Morgan's Player of the Year award in 2005

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