CHICAGO, Ill. (Jan. 31, 2012) – Today, the McDonald’s All American Games unveiled its list of 35 of the Greatest McDonald’s All Americans, released in celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the McDonald’s All American High School Boys Basketball Game and in an effort to honor all the elite athletes that have participated in the Games over its history.
The 35 of the Greatest McDonald’s All Americans list is comprised of some of the top names in basketball history, and features past and present Olympics, NBA and NCAA stars, including: Earvin “Magic” Johnson (McDonald’s All American class of 1977), Clark Kellogg (1979), Ralph Sampson (1979), Isiah Thomas (1979), Dominique Wilkins (1979), James Worthy (1979), Sam Perkins (1980), Glenn “Doc” Rivers (1980), Patrick Ewing (1981), Michael Jordan (1981), Chris Mullin (1981), Kenny Smith (1983), Danny Manning (1984), Larry Johnson (1987), Christian Laettner (1988), Alonzo Mourning (1988), Bobby Hurley (1989), Shaquille O’Neal (1989), Grant Hill (1990), Glenn Robinson (1991), Jason Kidd (1992), Jerry Stackhouse (1993), Vince Carter (1995), Kevin Garnett (1995), Paul Pierce (1995), Kobe Bryant (1996), Jay Williams (1999), Carmelo Anthony (2002), Amare Stoudemire (2002), LeBron James (2003), Chris Paul (2003), Dwight Howard (2004), Tyler Hansbrough (2005), Kevin Durant (2006) and Derrick Rose (2007).
“This list of great McDonald’s All Americans recognizes 35 years of basketball excellence,” said Douglas Freeland, director of the McDonald’s All American Games. “These players are a veritable ‘who’s who’ of basketball’s modern era.”
Each of the players was selected by members of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee. In determining the list, all past McDonald’s All Americans were considered based on his high school career and performance in the McDonald’s All American Games, success at the collegiate and professional level, and post-career accomplishments.
“For 35 years, the McDonald’s All American Games have showcased the top high school basketball players nationwide,” said Morgan Wootten, McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee Chairman. “These 35 players are representative of all the great players that have played in the McDonald’s All American Games over the years.”
Each of the 35 Greatest McDonald’s All Americans will receive a custom-designed basketball, produced by Anaconda Sports® The Rock®, to commemorate this special honor.
History of the McDonald’s All American Games
McDonald’s selected the first McDonald’s All American High School Team in 1977. In 1978, the inaugural McDonald’s All American Game was played at The Spectrum in Philadelphia. Since then, more than 800 boys have been selected to play in the McDonald’s All American Games which benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®).
2012 McDonald’s All American Games
The 35th Annual McDonald’s All American Boys Game will tip-off on Wednesday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m. CT and is broadcast live on ESPN. Immediately preceding the Boys Game will be the 11th Annual McDonald’s All American Girls Game, beginning at 6 p.m. CT and is broadcast live on ESPNU. McDonald’s will announce the 24 boys and 24 girls participating in the 2012 McDonald’s All American Games via a Selection Show airing on ESPNU on February 9 at 5 p.m. ET. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster with free parking the night of the games.
For more details about the McDonald’s All American Games, please visit www.mcdaag.com.