By ADAM ZAGORIA
Entering the announcement of the McDonald’s All-American Game rosters on Tuesday, Kevin Boyle’s Montverde (FL) Academy team had 4 or 5 players deserving to be named to the prestigious game.
But no school has ever gotten more than 3 selections — and that didn’t change on Tuesday.
Montverde, Prolific Prep (CA) and the Overtime Elite all placed three players into the prestigious game set for Tuesday, April 2nd, at the Toyota Center in Houston (9 p.m., ESPN2).
Referring to Montverde prior to the announcement, USA Basketball youth coach Don Showalter told ZAGSBLOG: “It’s probably one of the few times a team has 4-5 players that are talented enough to be considered to play in the McDonald’s Game.”
In the end, Cooper Flagg (Duke), Liam McNeeley (Indiana) and Derik Queen (undecided) were selected from Montverde while Asa Newell (Georgia) and Robert Wright III (Baylor) were left out, although Newell was named to the Nike Hoop Summit (along with Flagg).
Boyle issued a statement saying “we had five players voted into the game and only because of their longstanding bi-laws the decision was made to only allow three players to make the rosters for the game.”
Statement from Head Coach Kevin Boyle regarding the McDonald’s All-American Game selections: pic.twitter.com/vYOFZJRMIY
— Montverde Academy Basketball (@MVABasketball) January 24, 2024
From Prolific Prep, Zoom Diallo (Washington), Aiden Sherrell (Alabama) and Derrion Reed (Alabama) were chosen.
Prolific Prep now joins Dematha Catholic High School with 12 McDonald’s All-American selections and is in a tie for 3rd place for most players selected all-time behind Oak Hill Academy’s 35 selections and Montverde’s 17.
For Overtime Elite, John Bol (Ole Miss), Ian Jackson (UNC) and Karter Knox (undecided) are now Burger Boys.
“I’ve dreamed of being a McDonald’s All-American my entire life,” said the 6-foot-5 Jackson of Our Savior Lutheran in The Bronx. “I’m honored to be chosen among so many incredible athletes. I want to thank my coaches, trainers, teammates and family for helping me be my best.”
Among colleges, Rutgers (2), Duke (2), Kentucky (2), Alabama (2) and North Carolina (2) all had multiple selections.
Five players from New York/New Jersey high schools were selected: Dylan Harper of Don Bosco Prep (Rutgers), Tahaad Pettiford of Hudson Catholic (Auburn), VJ Edgecombe of Long Island Lutheran (Baylor), Boogie Fland of Archbishop Stepinac (Kentucky) and OSL’s Jackson.
Looking ahead to the 2025 NBA Draft, three of the top five projected picks per ESPN’s Jonathan Givony were named to the game: No. 1 Flagg (Duke), No. 2 Ace Bailey (Rutgers) and No. 4 Jalil Bethea (Miami).
Three of the top 5 projected NBA picks in 2025 by @DraftExpress are Burger Boys with
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) January 23, 2024
No. 1 Cooper Flagg – @DukeMBB
No. 2 Ace Bailey – @RutgersMBB https://t.co/rls66kpdYy pic.twitter.com/OMEg1HfjGH
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