Showdown in the Lone Star State: The McDonald’s All-American Games Come to Houston

By LaQuita Thompson

Photo credit: McDonalds All American Games

Houston, TX – The McDonald’s All American Games roster reveal is a can’t-miss event for high school hoops fans. With over 700 of the nation’s top prep stars nominated, NBA TV announced the selections in front of an anxious audience dreaming of hearing their names called. Earning the title of McDonald’s All American is the pinnacle for these young ballers. It’s not just major bragging rights – it gains them entry into an elite club alongside legends like Candace Parker, Breanna Stewart, and Kevin Durant. For rising stars transitioning from high school to the big leagues, getting tapped as a McDonald’s All American is right at the top of their bucket list. This honor cements their status as the best of the best.

The stage has been set again this year for some of the best boys and girls’ basketball talent in the country to compete against each other.

The 48 players, 24 boys and 24 girls, will participate in the games to be played at the Toyota Center in Houston on April 2. The Jam Fest is April 1  at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

The McDonald’s All American Girls Game will air on April 2 at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and the boys will immediately follow on ESPN at 9 p.m.

Girls’ rosters

East

Mikayla Blakes, Rutgers Prep (Somerset, N.J.); Kendall Dudley and Zania Socka-Ngueman, Sidwell Friends (Washington D.C.); Joyce Edwards, Camden (S.C.); Kayleigh Heckel, Syla Swords and Kate Koval, Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.); Zamareya Jones, North Pitt (N.C.); Madisen McDaniel, Bishop McNamara, (Forestville, Md.); Olivia Olson, Benilde-St. Margaret’s (Minn.); Sarah Strong, Grace Christian School (Sanford, N.C.); Berry Wallace, Pickerington (Ohio) Central.

Coach:Fran Burbidge, Westtown School (West Chester, Pa.).

West

Imari Berry, Clarksville (Tenn.); Jaloni Cambridge (G): Montverde (Fla.) Academy; Justice Carlton, Seven Lakes (Houston); Morgan Cheli, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.); Avery Howell, Boise (Idaho); Jordan Lee, Saint Mary’s, (Stockton, Calif.); Alivia McGill, Hopkins (Minnetonka, Minn.); Me’Arah O’Neal, Episcopal (Houston); MacKenly Randolph, Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth, Calif.); Arianna Roberson, San Antonio (Texas) Clark; Kennedy Smith, Etiwanda (Calif.); Allie Ziebell, Neenah (Wis.).

Coach: Ann Fritz, Blue Valley (Kan.) North.

Boys’ rosters

EastJalil Bethea, Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.); John Bol, Overtime Elite Academy (Ga.); Isaiah Evans, North Mecklenburg (Huntersville, N.C.); Cooper Flagg, Liam McNeeley and Derik Queen, Montverde (Fla.) Academy; BoogieFland, Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, N.Y.); Ian Jackson, Our Saviour Lutheran (Bronx, N.Y.); Tahaad Pettiford, Hudson Catholic (Jersey City, N.J.); Drake Powell, Northwood High School (N.C.); Jayden Quaintance, Word of God Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.); Bryson Tucker, Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.).

Coach:Sharman White, Pace Academy (Atlanta).

West

Ace Bailey, McEachern a.); Flory Bidunga, Kokomo (Ind.); Carter Bryant, Corona (Calif.); Zoom Diallo, Derrion Reid and Aiden Sherrell, Prolific Prep (Napa, Calif.); VJ Edgecombe, Jr., Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.); Donavan Freeman, IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.); Dylan Harper, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.); Richard Johnson, Link Academy (Branson, Mo.); Karter Knox, Overtime Elite Academy (Ga.); Trent Perry, Harvard-Westlake School (Studio City, Calif.).

Coach: Tommy Brakel, North Crowley, (Fort Worth, Texas).