The McDonald's High School All American Basketball teams have been announced and once again there is representation from the D. Last Year we had two All Americans represented from Michigan. Keith Appling (Detroit Pershing - Michigan State) and Ray McCallum (Detroit Country Day - Univ of Detroit) and this year McCallum's teammate from the state Championship team a year ago, Amir Williams was selected. Williams is a 6'10" Center from Detroit Country Day and will be representing the state of Michigan for the West side in the game to be played in Chicago on March 30th.
It is a shame that a talented big man of his caliber could not stay in state and play for a much needed Spartan team next year but instead he will be filling the shoes of Jared Sullinger at Ohio State, who will most likely be leaving after his first year and will be a can't miss lottery pick in the NBA draft. All is not lost however for Izzo, as he is getting a High School All American player, and if I am correct, the first one from outside this state. Brandon Dawson, who is the #20 player in the country from Lew Wallace HS in Gary, Indiana has committed to play at Michigan State next year.
I have been fortunate enough to see 10 of these 24 participants, 2 live and 8 in televised games. Most of the other players I have at least seen footage or videos from AAU or You Tube. They are a talented lot in deed but I think the WEST team has the superior talent. Here is a quick rundown on some of the players followed by the rosters for each side.
- Austin Rivers is clearly the number one player and is a scoring machine. He has a great step back jumper to go along with his ability to score off the drive. - Michael Gilchrist plays for the number 1 team in the country (St. Patrick's - NJ) and has an outstanding inside and outside game. He has been compared to Scottie Pippen in his game and ability to contribute in any aspect of the game.
- Marques Teague is brother of Jeff Teague (Wake Forest - Atlanta Hawks).
- Cody Zeller is the third Zeller brother to be named All American.
- Marshall Plumlee follows his two older siblings and carries on the family tradition of playing at Duke for Coach K.
- Myck Kabongo is actually from Toronto and continues the pipeline for Rick Barnes at Texas who has now migrated three Canadians down to Texas
- Quinn Cook continues the long line of All American Players from Oak Hill Academy of VA.
- Rakeem Christmas is from Academy of New Church in Pennsylvania. This happens to be the alma matter of my good friend Mark Elder, who started the AAU TEAM Basketball program in North Oakland County some 10 years ago. He continues to stay active in it today and does a great job with the kids and the program. Christmas is quite the shot blocker and will help plug some holes that Syracuse will be needing next year.
- LeBryan Nash could be the best dunker of the bunch
Kentucky has 4 commits in this game
Duke has 3 commits in this game
North Carolina, Louisville, Ohio State & Syracuse all have 2 commits each playing in this game.
Here is a list of the teams and players.
EAST
# 3 Michael Gilchrist (St. Patrick's - NJ) 6'7 F Kentucky
# 5 James McAdoo (Norfolk Christian - NC) 6'8 F North Carolina
# 7 Brad Beal (Chaminade - Missouri) 6'3 SG Florida
#13 PJ Hairston (Hargrave Military - VA) 6'6 SG North Carolina
#16 Rakeem Christmas (ANC - PA) 6'9 C Syracuse
#18 Michael Carter-Williams (St. Andrews - RI) 6'5 SG Syracuse
#22 Kentavious Caldwell Pope (Greenville - GA) 6'4 SG Georgia
#27 Chane Behanan (Bowling Green - KY) 6'7 PF Louisville
#29 Shannon Scott (Milton - GA) 6'2 PG Ohio State
#30 Johnny O'Bryant (East Side High - MS) 6'10 PF LSU
#37 Marshall Plumlee (Christ - NC) 6'11 C Duke
#39 Quinn Cook (Oak Hill - VA) 6'1 PG Duke
WEST
# 1 Austin Rivers (Winter Park - FLA) 6'4 SG Duke
# 2 Anthony Davis (Perspectives - ILL) 6'10 PF Kentucky
# 6 LeBryan Nash (Lincoln - TX) 6'7 SF Oklahoma State
# 8 Marquis Teague (Pike - IND) 6'2 PG Kentucky
# 9 Myck Kabongo (Findley Prep - NV) 6'2 PG Texas
#10 Adonis Thomas (Melrose - TENN) 6'6 SF Memphis
#11 Khem Birch (Notre Dame Prep - MA) 6'9 C Pittsburgh
#12 Cody Zeller (Washington - IND) 6'11 PF Indiana
#15 Kyle Wiltjer (Jesuit HS - OR) 6'9 PF Kentucky
#17 Wayne Blackshear (Morgan Park - ILL) 6'5 SG Louisville
#20 Brandon Dawson (Lew Wallace- IND) 6'6 SF Michigan State
#36 Amir Williams (Detroit Country Day - MI) 6'10 C Ohio State
The Game will be televised at 10 EST on March 30th - don't forget to tape it or watch it.
Your Basketball SNOB
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