The 24-member 2010 Boys Team has been announced for the 33rd McDonald’s All-American Game, which will be played on March 31 at Value City Arena in Columbus, OH. As a member of the Selection Committee since 1979, each year the challenge has been to identify and select the elite senior players based upon their achievements in basketball and in the classroom; their character and behavior on and off the court, and their total performance, both for their high school team, and in off-season play during their entire high school career.
This is not an easy task, and, unfortunately, many deserving young men have not been selected. But, overall, the selection committee, chaired by the legendary Morgan Wootten, has functioned very well. The elite players, including the Top 12-15 each year, are virtually unanimous picks. The disagreements and difficulties every year come in choosing from a large number of almost equally qualified players those to receive the ultimate high honor of being a McDonald’s High School All-American. Having said that, the selections have been made, and the players have been notified.
This year in performing the selection process we were asked to choose our top players at each position from an original list of 125 top high school seniors from across the nation. Fifth year seniors or post-graduates were not included, since the McDonald’s All-Americans must meet the elibibility requirements of the National Federation of High Schools.
The talent pool was narrowed by three voting ballots, to a final group of 30 outstanding candidates, with the 24 McDonald’s All-Americans selected by position from that list.
From a fan’s perspective, since the 24 selectees will participate in the McDonald’s All-American Game on March 31, the composition of the teams and the player matchups are essential for a competitive and highly entertaining game.
Both the East and West teams are loaded with quality guards, and key matchups at Point Guard: likely Kyrie Irving (East) against Brandon Knight (West); or Joe Jackson (East) vs. Cory Joseph (West); or how about Kendall Marshall (East) vying with Ray McCallum (West). Obviously there will be other interesting matches between these six gifted point guards.
Shooting Guard Matchups:
Reggie Bullock (East) against Doron Lamb (West); or a good battle of combo guards, Josh Selby (East) vs. Keith Appling (West). High scoring Brandon Knight can also play as a shooting guard, as can the East’s Kyrie Irving.
Wing Forward Matchups:
Tobias Harris (East) against highly rated Harrison Barnes (West); and DeShaun Thomas (East) going against Jereme Richmond (West). The East team also has swingman Jelan Kendrick who can play either wing position. And, both Harris and Thomas could play some at power forward for the East.
Power Forward Matchups:
C. J. Leslie (East) against Terrence Jones (West); and a battle of physical players, Jayvaughn Pinkston (East) banging with Tristan Thompson (West). Also, Patric Young will contribute as a four-man for the West team. Both Leslie and Jones have the skill set and versatility to play some at the wing forward position.
Center Matchups
The nation’s top big man, Jared Sullinger (East) against towering Fabrico De Melo (West) in an encounter of physical giants; and Perry Jones (East) vs. Josh Smith (West). Smith is still not 100% from an injury, and is working to improve his conditioning. Tristan Thompson can also play at the post for the West team.
This team includes the seven still undecided players, the most that I can recall in the past 20 years. The undecideds for the East are Josh Selby and C. J. Leslie; and for the West team Brandon Knight, Cory Joseph. Ray McCallum, Doron Lamb, and Terrence Jones.
The East Co-head coaches are Dru Joyce, Akron, OH, St. Vincent-St. Mary, and Norm Persin, Oak Hill, OH, High. The West head coach is Eric Flannery, Lakewood, OH, St. Edward.
The 33rd McDonald’s All-American Game should be very entertaining. Do not forget to watch on March 31 at 8:00 p.m. EST. We will keep you updated.