Cheick Diallo was named the MVP of the McDonald’s All-American Game Wednesday night at Chicago’s United Center.
The 6-foot-9 native of Mali went for 18 points and 10 rebounds as the East beat the West, 111-91.
“I’m so happy to be here, too,” Diallo told ESPN. “It’s a lot different because that’s an All-Star Game.”
Meantime, Diallo said he might announce at or around the Jordan Brand Classic set for April 17 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
“Maybe after Jordan game or before Jordan game,” he said during the game.
The Our Savior New American forward is considering St. John’s, Iowa State, Kentucky, Kansas and Pitt.
With the addition of former Iowa State assistant Matt Abdelmassih to Chris Mullin’s staff at St. John’s, they are expected to make an “aggressive” push for him in the coming days and weeks, sources told SNY.tv.
“I don’t really know him, so I don’t want to talk about him since I don’t know him,” Diallo told SNY.tv of Mullin.
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**All 30 NBA teams had personnel at the McDonald’s Game, including Mark Hughes of the Knicks.
**Brandon Ingram told ESPN Carlton Bragg (Kansas) and Chase Jeter (Duke) are recruiting him the hardest at the game. The 6-9 Ingram is also considering Kentucky, UCLA, North Carolina and N.C. State.
Ingram will make a decision in April, Kingston (NC) coach Perry Tyndall told SNY.tv.
**Isaiah Briscoe told Jay Williams he’d like to play with Jaylen Brown and Malik Newman at Kentucky.
The 6-7 Brown is considering Kentucky along with Kansas, Michigan, UCLA, North Carolina, Cal, Georgia and Georgia Tech.
“I’m just trying to take my time with it and just to make the best decision possible,” he said on air.
Asked to pick a favorite in the Final Four, Brown said, “I’m going with Kentucky.”
As for Newman, he is considering Kentucky along with Kansas, LSU, N.C. State, Ole Miss and Mississippi State. For more, read here.
Photo: McDonald’s Game
