Nomination Criteria & Selection Process

The McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Games feature the top 24 boy and 24 girl players from high schools throughout the United States and sets itself apart from other comparable events in that players are selected based on a systematic voting process. The Selection Committee, led by Director Terri Lynn Wootten and committee chair Joe Wootten, is composed of basketball experts from across the country that review prospect’s fundamental talents and athleticism in the committee’s effort to identify to the top 48. The following elements are taken into serious consideration when selecting a McDonald’s All American.

Nominations can only be submitted by eligible nominators:

• High School Varsity Head Coach
• High School Athletic Director 
• High School Principal
• McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee

Athletic Achievement:

• Player’s accomplishments on the hardwood.
• High school career: All evaluations and nominations are based on the individual player’s fundamental skill level, basketball IQ, competitive motor, potential for continued growth and development and athleticism.
• At the time of selection, the candidate will have completed 50% of their senior year season. Situations where a candidate is no longer eligible: season ending injury and or suspension/removal from high school team.

Scholastic Achievement:

• Attends and participates in a high school program that is a member of a high school athletic conference/league or an independent league.
• If the high school participates in an independent league, they are required to play 80% of their scheduled games against other high schools within a high school league on the national circuit between October 25th and April 1st .
• All nominees must be eligible to participate under the rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) or approved comparable organization. In conjunction with eligibility under NFHS, a nominee must meet all eligibility requirements under their individual high school’s district and regional league policies.
• Historically, a high school or organization has only been allowed to have two (2) players to encourage the selection of qualified players from a broad range of schools. In rare exceptions, a third (3rd) player from a high school or organization has been allowed when the absence of this player would significantly undermine the quality of the game. The rare third (3rd) player exception is determined at the sole discretion of the selection committee.
• A high school cannot have professional (paid) players on their high school team. Third party NIL deals are allowed. Nominees cannot hold a professional status as a basketball player or receive payment/inducements for participation in basketball games/events.
• Each nominee must be a high school senior and are on schedule to graduate in May or June of the year nominated.
• Nominees cannot have their 19th birthday before September 1st of their senior year.
• Nominees must have lived in the United States for one calendar year prior to their nomination and have attended a United States based high school for that one calendar year.

Behavior

• Players who have been convicted of a felony will not be considered for nomination or selection.
• Players who have been charged with a felony with a case pending will not be considered for nomination or selection.
• Players who have a history of “getting in trouble” with either the law (i.e. misdemeanor), at school, during extracurricular activities, and/or at home may be excluded pending feedback from their principal, athletic director, coach, league officials, and/or community leaders.
• The Selection Committee will review all behavior issues on a case-by-case basis and determine eligibility of candidate.