Off the Court

 

A hub for the latest news and updates of the McDonald's All American Games.

 

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 02: Lil Yachty performs during the 47th annual McDonald's All American Games at Toyota Center on April 02, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for the McDonalds All American Games)

Lil Yachty reflects on his performance at the 2024 McDonald's All American Games with BET

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The 2023 McDonald’s All American Games Final 48 are Set to Suit Up This March

  

  

From East to West and Everywhere In-Between, 700+ Hoopers Named 2023 McDonald’s All American Nominees

The nominations are in, and the Southeast region – specifically Texas – dominates the list for the third consecutive season, as the McDonald's All American Games heads to Houston in 2023. And the girls continue to outpace the boys in number of nominations, a sign that this year's girls’ game will be one to watch. Today, the journey to greatness begins for these 722 girls and boys basketball players who get to experience a new defining moment as they receive nominations for a chance to shine on one of high school basketball’s biggest stages: the McDonald’s All American Games. 

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McDonald’s All-American Game 2022 - Boys ESPN Broadcast Highlights

Originally published March 30, 2022  

  

 

  

​​2022 McDonald's All Americans HILARIOUS SLAM Up!!!

Originally published March 28, 2022  

 

 

 

McDonald’s Teams Up with adidas, Eric Emanuel to Drop Limited-Edition All American Games Apparel   

 

Originally published April 16, 2021 –

After nearly a decade outfitting the next generation of basketball greats, the McDonald’s All American Games and adidas are teaming up to unveil two new lines of Games gear –available exclusively at adidas.com and select adidas retailers. Fans can rep the All Americans on their own home court with classic shorts, hoodies and sweats, or be bold with Games-inspired hoodies, basketball shorts, graphic tees, and more, by New York-based sportswear designer Eric Emanuel.

 

Over the past four decades, the McDonald’s All American Games have remained the premier high school basketball showcase featuring the nation’s top 48 girls and boys players. Some of basketball’s most iconic players have donned the McDonald’s jersey over the years – including Candace Parker, James Harden, Anthony Edwards, Trae Young, Chiney Ogwumike, and more. The Games have stood out as a historic moment on these players’ journey to greatness, an honor of a lifetime brought on by heart, hustle, determination, and the desire to achieve greatness.

 

“The Games have meant so much to basketball fans around the country for more than 40 years – as we’ve watched young stars become basketball greats,” said Elizabeth Campbell, Senior Director of Cultural Engagement, McDonald’s USA. “During this unprecedented year, we’re giving fans a new way to celebrate the Games through this exciting adidas collaboration and one-of-a-kind designs from Eric Emanuel.”

 

“The McDonald’s All American Games are the pinnacle games of high school basketball, and I have been a fan for as long as I can remember. It’s an honor to help give fans a way to connect with the Games and together, with adidas, I look forward to giving them the opportunity to show McDAAG pride without ever stepping foot on the court.” said Eric Emanuel

Eric Emanuel is lending his unique take on the classic sportswear from the iconic McDonald’s All American Games showcase to create the adidas by Eric Emanuel for McDonald’s All American Games.

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McDonald’s® USA Announces the 2022 Morgan Wootten Players of the Year for the McDonald’s All American Games

 

Originally published March 27, 2022 —

Being a McDonald’s All American Games athlete is about more than having the best stats or the most-viewed highlight reels – it’s about giving back and representing your community with integrity and pride. Continuing a long-standing tradition of excellence, the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee is proud to recognize Kira ‘Kiki’ Rice and Dereck Lively II as the recipients of the 2022 Morgan Wootten National Players of the Year Award. Rice and Lively were presented with the honor earlier today in front of family and fellow teammates. Both players will take the court on Tuesday, March 29 for the 45th annual McDonald’s All American Games in Chicago. 

 

“My father—the late Coach Morgan Wootten—always valued the character of his players as much as their abilities on the court, which is why Kiki and Dereck are so deserving of this award,” said Joe Wootten, Chairman of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee. “During my dad's time as Selection Committee Chair, it was so important to him to elevate and recognize players for all the work they do in their communities. Over the years, character has become a true pillar of the Games – a defining trait that we look for in each player selected for the final roster of team.”

 

Kiki Rice

A standout two-sport athlete from Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., Kiki is nationally-ranked as the number two girls’ prospect in the Class of 2022. The 5’11” point guard is a two-time USA Basketball gold medalist and was previously named as the District of Columbia state player of the year in both basketball and soccer. In the community, Rice actively volunteers with numerous non-profits, including coaching at youth basketball camps and in recent years, supporting first responders by writing thank you notes for local hospitals to share words of encouragement during challenging times. As a future commit to UCLA, Rice becomes the 21st annual female winner, joining recent award recipients such as Azzi Fudd (2021), and Paige Bueckers (2020) along with pro-stars, like Breanna Stewart (2012) and Chiney Ogwumike (2010).

 

Derek Lively II

A 7’1” center and five-star recruit from West Chester, Pennsylvania, Dereck is widely ranked as the number one recruit in the Class of 2022. Lively’s game is marked by his athleticism and elite defensive ability that has led to a successful season at Westtown School in the Philadelphia metro area. Next season he will join the powerhouse Duke men’s basketball team where his work ethic and strong moral compass will help him elevate his natural-born leadership at the next level. Often described as the ‘hype man’ of his peers, Dereck’s positive energy and uplifting personality both contribute to his ability to achieve success on and off the court. Since the creation of the Player of the Year designation in 1997, Lively is the 26th recipient of the annual award joining the likes of previous winners Chet Holmgren (2021) and Evan Mobley (2020), along with some current pro-stars, like RJ Barrett (2018) and Lonzo Ball (2016).

 

“For the late nights, early mornings and drive to improve in all aspects of life, this award celebrates everything that’s great about this game and its players who give it their all to achieve success both on and off the court,” said Tariq Hassan, Chief Marketing and Digital Customer Experience Officer, McDonald’s USA. “Congratulations to Dereck and Kiki, whose tenacity on the basketball court and dedication to giving back are testaments to why they were selected. Their legacies will forever be etched in the McDonald’s All American Games record books, in this special way, as they continue excelling on the court while making a difference in their communities.” 

 

The Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year Award was created in 1997 and is given annually to the best McDonald's All American girl and boy who exemplify outstanding character, exhibit leadership, and embody the values of being a good citizen in the classroom and the community. McDonald's established the award in honor of Morgan Wootten, the late chairman of the Games Selection Committee and Basketball Hall of Fame coach.

 

 

 

 

The 45 Greatest McDonald’s All Americans List Revealed

 

Originally published March 25, 2022 –

In celebration of the 45th anniversary of the McDonald’s All American Games, McDonald’s USA and the Games Selection Committee have added five new inductees to the illustrious list of the best to ever play in the Games – including Chauncey Billups, Chris Bosh, Jermaine O’Neal, Rasheed Wallace and Chris Webber. In all, the legendary list now sits at 45 players made up of: 

 

  • 39 alumni who went on to become NBA All-Stars 
  • 18 alumni who were recently named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team 
  • Nine alumni who were named NBA MVP at least once 

 

The McDonald’s All American Games Greatest Boys List was originally released in 2012 with 35 players and updated to 40 players in 2017 for the 40th anniversary of the Games. In determining the list, all players were considered based on their high school career and performance in the McDonald’s All American Games, success at the collegiate and professional level and post-career accomplishments. Unrivaled on the high school basketball stage, the Games continue to help elevate these high potential prospects and prepare them for success at the next level. 

 

2022 INDUCTEES 

Chauncey Billups 

A Denver native who represented George Washington High School at the 1995 McDonald’s All American Games, Billups played college ball at the University of Colorado Boulder and would later go on to have a two-decade NBA career. 

 

Chris Bosh 

Bosh represented Lincoln High School at the 2002 McDonald’s All American Games, then went on to play one year of college ball at Georgia Tech before going on to have a 13-year NBA career. 

 

Chris Webber 

Chris Webber attended Detroit Country Day School and earned the McDonald’s All American co-MVP honor in 1991 before exploding onto the national scene as a young star. As a member of the University of Michigan’s “Fab Five,” Webber was the first overall pick in the 1993 NBA Draft and the 1994 NBA Rookie of the Year. 

 

Jermaine O’Neal 

Drafted from the loaded 1996 class and straight from Eau Claire High School, Jermaine O’Neal was the youngest player to ever play in an NBA game at just 18 years, one month and 22 days old. 

 

Rasheed Wallace 

During his high school career, Rasheed Wallace earned the honor of ‘Mr. Basketball USA’ while playing for Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia, PA. Wallace was a three-sport athlete, but his early-on basketball dominance led to his spot on the 1993 McDonald’s All American team. In hopes of finding themselves on future lists, this 2022 class is set to make their mark on one of basketball’s oldest and most historic events as they hit the hardwood on March 29 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

 

 

 

 

  

The 2023 McDonald’s All American Games Final 48 are Set to Suit Up This March

(CHICAGO — Jan. 24, 2023) 

It’s almost time for the 2023 McDonald’s All American Games’ class to hit the hardwood in Houston, as the 48 up-and-coming superstars set to make the final rosters were unveiled by the Games’ Selection Committee today. On the girls’ side, the number of competitive female collegiate programs across the sport continues to rise – with this year’s incoming class committing to 19 different schools in 2023, the most in over a decade. And for the boys, the roster features the first, third generation McDonald’s All American – making the Games a true family affair. Plus, this year’s rosters to dominate on the recruiting trail with over a third of players currently committed to schools boasting a combined 17 collegiate championships. Catch the best of high school hoops going head-to-head on Tuesday, March 28 at Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets.

The 2023 rosters were chosen from a list of 722 nominees by some of the nation’s top analysts, prep scouts, media and coaches based on competitive criteria. This year’s players join some of the biggest names in basketball who have donned the iconic jersey over the years and went on to make big waves at the next level, including Cole Anthony, Sophie Cunningham, Nneka Ogwumike and Derrick Rose. 

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