OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwire - February 10, 2011) - McDonald's® unveiled the official rosters for the 34th annual McDonald's All American Boys Game and 10th annual Girls Game during its annual selection show today on ESPNU. The Games will be played on March 30 at the famed United Center in Chicago, Ill. The full rosters are available at www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com.
The 2011 McDonald's All American Boys Team features consensus No. 1 prospect Austin Rivers (Winter Park High School -- Winter Park, Fla.), son of 1980 McDonald's All American "Doc" Rivers. The pair represents only the second father/son duo in the event's history behind Milt Wagner (1981) and son Dajuan Wagner (2001). Chicagoland Boys selections include Anthony Davis (Perspectives Charter School), Wayne Blackshear (Morgan Park High School) and Branden Dawson (Lew Wallace High School -- Gary, Ind.). They will take the court with Cody Zeller (Washington High School -- Washington, Ind.), the third Zeller to be named a McDonald's All American, following brothers Luke (2005) and Tyler (2008). In addition, Marshall Plumlee (Christ School -- Arden, N.C.), follows brother Mason who played in 2009. Canadian-born Myck Kabongo traces the footsteps of former Findlay Prep teammates and 2010 McDonald's All Americans, Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph. The Boys Game tip-offs at 9:00 p.m. CT March 30, broadcasting live on ESPN.
The 2011 McDonald's All American Girls Team boasts exceptional East and West rosters, including Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (Mater Dei High School -- Santa Ana, Calif.), the No. 1 female prospect in the 2011 class. Also suiting-up for the Girls Team will be local standout Ariel Massengale (Bolingbrook High School -- Bolingbrook, Ill.), Elizabeth Williams (Princess Anne High School -- Virginia Beach, Va.), Cierra Burdick (Butler High School -- Matthews N.C.) and Krystal Forthan (Georgetown High School -- Georgetown, Texas). The Girls Game begins at 6:30 p.m. CT March 30, and will broadcast live on ESPNU.
Tickets to the Games are available via Ticketmaster and charge-by-phone at 1-866-909-GAME.
"Since 1978, the McDonald's All American Game has showcased the very best high school student-athletes and this year is no exception as both teams are loaded with talent," said Douglas Freeland, Director of the McDonald's All American Games, McDonald's USA. "On March 30th, fans at Chicago's United Center will witness the start of the next era of basketball greatness."
Proceeds from the 2011 McDonald's All American High School Basketball Games will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. The chapter will use those funds to help build the world's largest Ronald McDonald House. Millions of dollars have been raised for the charity since the first Game was played in 1978. Every athlete who participates in the McDonald's All American Games will visit the host city's local Ronald McDonald House to experience first-hand how the Games impact the local community.
This year, 48 players were selected from nearly 2,000 nominees by a committee of basketball experts. Coach Morgan Wootten, who had more than 1,200 wins as head basketball coach at DeMatha High, is chairman of the selection committee.
Since 1978, more than 1,000 players have competed in the McDonald's All American Games, forming an elite list that includes some of the top names in basketball history. Former McDonald's All Americans include NBA greats Michael Jordan (retired), Magic Johnson (retired), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics), LeBron James (Miami Heat), Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), as well as WNBA stars Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx) and Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks).
The POWERADE® Jam Fest -- featuring many of the McDonald's All Americans in a skills competition, three-point shootout and dunk contest -- will be held at the Jones Convocation Center on the campus of Chicago State University on March 28, 2011. The qualifying competitions will begin at 5:30 p.m. CT and the finals will air live at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2. Tickets for the POWERADE Jam Fest will be available on TicketWeb or at the Jones Convocation Center box office.
About McDonald's
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome food made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free Wi-Fi at any of the 11,000 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.
© 2011 McDonald's
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