In just a few weeks, 48 of the best high school basketball players in the United States will journey to the Toyota Center in Houston to compete in the McDonald’s All American Games. The event, happening on March 27, is an opportunity for the country’s brightest teen ballers to show off their skills in front of a national audience. It’s also a chance for these players to become a part of history.
The tradition of the All American Games goes back to 1977 with the event expanding in 2002 to include a girls’ game. In addition to the very best prospects from the East taking on the best from the West (for both the boys’ and girls’ games), there’s also a three-point contest and a skills competition, turning the event into a kind of All Star Weekend for teens.
Being selected as a McDonald’s All-American clearly carries a lot of weight and exists as a point of pride for players as much for the history as for the chance to match up against the best on a big stage.
The list of alums reads like basketball Mount Rushmore – iconic alumni include Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Durant, Candace Parker, and A’ja Wilson. In the future, someone playing in this year’s game could very well be mentioned in the same breath as those legends.
This year’s All-American class will sport Adidas-made jerseys that give off an old-school feel, and, like in years past, the proceeds of the game will benefit the Ronald McDonald House, a charity that provides aid to sick children and their families.
You can catch the girls’ game on March 27 at 6:30PM ET on ESPN2, followed by the boys’ game at 9:00PM ET on ESPN. It’s an exciting event—you could very well get to witness the next superstar’s first moment in the spotlight.
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East Boys Jersey
Girls West Jersey
East Boys Jersey
Girls West Jersey
East Boys Jersey
Girls West Jersey
East Boys Jersey
Girls West Jersey
This six-foot guard from Bossier City, Louisiana is a gifted three-sport athlete who had initially thought she was going to pursue softball. Now she's committed to LSU, continuing a family tradition of playing ball in college (her mother played at Northwestern State and her dad played at Bossier Parish Community College). Around the game from a young age (her dad also coached), Mikaylah has fond memories of playing at the local gym against the boys with her friends. Now she's going to Houston for the McDonald's All American Games to soak up the experience and be among the nation's best.
While Mikaylah has excelled on the court (she just led her high school team to their second straight state championship game), her off court work is truly inspirational, positively impacting her community by organizing an Easter egg hunt for students with disabilities and participating in assorted volunteer efforts. That's leadership and a sign of someone who is poised to go quite far thanks to her talents and work ethic.
Point guard and top-ranked recruit Isaiah Collier is heading to sunny California and USC with a lot of potential after leading his high school team to postseason success. That's what Collier does: win. His earliest basketball memory is of winning medals in 3rd grade and he's most proud of his back-to-back state titles. The next level? It doesn't seem to phase the kid who describes himself as a jokester. To him, playing in the McDonald's All American Game is all about competing against the best.
With all that said, though, it’s his willingness to give his time to causes in and around his ATL adjacent community in Marietta, GA that might be most impressive. Whether it’s distributing clothing to the homeless, helping out through the Jesse Draper Boys & Girls Club Of America, or assisting families in crisis, this young leader is on his way.
The McDonalds All American Girls Game airs March 28 at 6:30PM ET on ESPN2, followed by the boys’ game at 9:00PM ET on ESPN.
We’ve hyped the McDonald’s All American Games for the last couple of weeks, speaking to the history of the event and the talents that were set to participate. And on Monday and Tuesday night in Houston at the Toyota Center, those talents did not disappoint, proving that the future of basketball is incomparably bright.
Now let’s take a look back at some of the most exciting moments and standout performances from Monday night’s Powerade-sponsored JamFest and both the boys’ and girls’ games from Tuesday.
Playing for the East team, Milaysia Fulwiley shined, effortlessly draining three after three. But it was the West that ended up winning the high-scoring affair, 110-102 (a new record for the McDonald’s All American Girls Game), behind the excellent performances of co-MVPs Hannah Hidalgo and Juju Watkins. Hidalgo had an impressive stat sheet, with 26 points (another event scoring record), 8 steals, and 5 assists, as did Watkins, who boasted 25 points, 5 steals, and 5 rebounds.
It was only in the fourth quarter that the East really started to cook, and they got their first lead of the night when they went up 99-98 with 3:30 left. From then on, the game was neck-and-neck. After the West missed two key free throws in the last seconds of the game, the East ended up coming away with the win 109-106. DJ Wagner (19 points with 3 assists) and Collier (25 points and 3 boards) were named co-MVPs.
As we said in our initial event preview, the list from the long history of the McDonald’s All American games reads like basketball Mount Rushmore. After Tuesday night, it’s clear many of the players from the boys’ and girls’ squads have the drive and the skills to make their own mark on the world both on and off the court. We’re as excited to watch them excel and inspire as we are to see the next class in 2024 come in and take their place in the rich history of this amazing event.
In the slam dunk contest, Sean Stewart, the son of retired pro Michael Stewart, took home the final prize, edging out Bronny James, son of LeBron, who, in one of his dunks, memorably jumped over his six-foot-five brother. Meanwhile, Jared McCain won the three-point contest for the boys, and Kymora Johnson took it home for the girls.
Tuesday night kicked off with the girls’ game. The Eastern team rocked elegant white jerseys, with yellow stars and red accents, exuding a classic sort of Americana, while the West wore classically cool black jerseys with navy, yellow, and red accents.
Breanna Stewart
Maya Moore
Chiney Ogwumike
Wootten HS POY Winner (2010)
Ben Simmons
Wootten HS POY Winner (2015)
In just a few weeks, 48 of the best high school basketball players in the United States will journey to the Toyota Center in Houston to compete in the McDonald’s All American Games. The event, happening on March 28, is an opportunity for the country’s brightest teen ballers to show off their skills in front of a national audience. It’s also a chance for these players to become a part of history.
The tradition of the All American Games goes back to 1977 with the event expanding in 2002 to include a girls’ game. In addition to the very best prospects from the East taking on the best from the West (for both the boys’ and girls’ games), there’s also a ceremony recognizing the Morgan Wootten National Player Of The Year. Winners from both the boys and girls roster will be announced on March 7.
Being selected as a McDonald’s All American clearly carries a lot of weight and exists as a point of pride for players as much for the history as for the chance to match up against the best on a big stage.
The list of alums reads like basketball Mount Rushmore – iconic alumni include Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Durant, Candace Parker, and A’ja Wilson. In the future, someone playing in this year’s games could very well be mentioned in the same breath as those legends.
This year’s All American class will sport adidas-made jerseys that give off an old-school feel, and, like years in the past, the games will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC ) a charity that supports families around the world and helps them access the medical care and resources they need.
You can catch the girls’ game on March 28 at 6:30PM ET on ESPN2, followed by the boys’ game at 9:00PM ET on ESPN. It’s an exciting event—you could very well get to witness the next superstar’s first moment in the spotlight.
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
Watch This Space For Info On This Year's POY Award Winners
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Written By: Eve Peyser
The Morgan Wootten National Player Of The Year winners set the pace on the court and off, helping in their schools and communities. DIME joins Mcdonald's in congratulating these amazing ambassadors. Now, let’s learn a little bit more about them ahead of the McDonald’s All American Games on March 28.
Written By: Uproxx Sports
To Learn About This Year's Morgan Wootten National Player Of The Year Honorees
Click Here
Afterward, the boys faced off, wearing the same instantly iconic adidas-made jerseys as the girls’ teams. Despite the East winning their scrimmage on Sunday by double digits, the West got off to a very hot start Tuesday night. Several minutes into the first quarter, they were up by 10, and throughout the game, they kept pressing on the gas and ended the third up 85-78. Both Bronny James, who ended up sinking 5 threes, and Isaac Collier, who scored 13 in the first half alone, contributed to the West’s success.
Afterward, the boys faced off, wearing the same instantly iconic adidas-made jerseys as the girls’ teams. Despite the East winning their scrimmage on Sunday by double digits, the West got off to a very hot start Tuesday night. Several minutes into the first quarter, they were up by 10, and throughout the game, they kept pressing on the gas and ended the third up 85-78. Both Bronny James, who ended up sinking 5 threes, and Isaac Collier, who scored 13 in the first half alone, contributed to the West’s success.
Written By: Eve Peyser