Tag: McDonald’s All-American

Ian Jackson and Drake Powell impress at 2024 McDAAG

I can’t wait to watch Ian Jackson and Drake Powell tear up the court in Chapel Hill next year.

It’s going to be a fun season in Chapel Hill next year.

UNC basketball head coach Hubert Davis has proven his strengths again on the recruiting trail, nabbing a pair of 5-stars in Ian Jackson and Drake Powell, the hometown kid who plays high school basketball 20 minutes from campus. Joining the two 5-stars is James Brown, the 4-star center from Chicago, Ill. who plays at Link Academy.

Jackson and Powell received the opportunities of a lifetime this week, as they suited up for the East squad in Tuesday’s McDonalds All-American game. Both UNC signees played with several future opponents, including Duke signees Cooper Flagg and Isaiah Evans.

While Powell did not score in the McDAAG, he provided valuable defense, as evidenced by his four rebounds and two steals. Don’t be fooled – Powell can score, averaging 16.6 points per game across his high school career.

“Along with it being competitive, it is very high energy and everyone is intense,” Powell told 247 Sports’ Eric Bossi on playing with his McDAAG teammates. “We’ve been focusing on sharing the basketball a bit more and playing off of one another.”

Jackson was one of the McDAAG’s offensive stars, scoring 21 points on 9-of-21 shooting. He likely would’ve been the MVP, but East teammate/ Maryland signee Derik Queen (23) and Rutgers signee Dylan Harper (22) barely outscored him.

“It’s been great just getting the opportunity to be here and compete against the players from around the country, who are considered the top players,” Jackson told Bossi on playing with his McDAAG teammates. “It’s competitive and I’ve had fun.”

Expect to see more of the same in Chapel Hill next year, only Powell will be scoring significantly more.

Can we fast-forward to November?

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WATCH: Ian Jackson’s highlights from the McDonalds’ All-American Game

Regardless of who returns to the UNC men’s basketball team next year, Hubert Davis has to find a way to get Ian Jackson minutes. Just watch Jackson’s McDaag highlights.

Tuesday, April 2 was a dream come true for some of the country’s top high school basketball players, as they played in the McDonalds All-American Game in Houston, Texas’ Toyota Center.

Fans might immediately recognize the names Cooper Flagg (top 2024 prospect, committed to Duke) and Boogie Fland (committed to Kentucky), but it was a UNC 5-star who stole the offensive show in the East’s comeback, 88-86 victory.

Ian Jackson, the 6’4″ shooting guard from Bronx, NY, scored 21 points to finish two behind Derik Queen for the East’s point high.

I watched a little bit of the game, seeing just how special Jackson can be in Chapel Hill. Take a look at this highlight compilation of his big night:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5S9SqigYWn/

Wow. That’s all I can say.

In his highlight clip, Jackson showcases his ability to speed past his opponent and finish. He slammed down a couple of one-handed dunks, caught a pass and finished an impressive standing dunk, plus finished at the rim on a couple layup attempts.

Jackson’s 21 points played a major role in the East’s big comeback. At one point in the second quarter, the Dylan Harper-led West squad was up by double-digits.

Just wait until Jackson dazzles the college circuit in Carolina Blue next year.

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Drake Powell, Ian Jackson named McDonald’s All-Americans

Two UNC basketball signees were named to the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game as Drake Powell and Ian Jackson get the nod.

The North Carolina Tar Heels will be represented at the annual McDonald’s All-American Game this year, ending a streak of four years without a player nominated.

On Tuesday, UNC signees Drake Powell and Ian Jackson were named to the annual game joining a roster of the best boys and girls players in the country.

The duo were two of 24 players selected to the boy’s game, both being named to the East team for the event. They are two of six players named to the game that are committed to Atlantic Coast Conference programs for the event this year joining Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Isaiah Evans, Miami’s Jalil Bethea, and Syracuse’s Donovan Freeman.

Jackson and Powell were both recently ranked in the top 10 in the updated 247Sports recruiting rankings, listed as five-star recruits. They are joined by three-star center James Brown in the 2024 class.

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2023 Alabama women’s basketball signee Essence Cody named McDonald’s All-American

Essence Cody becomes just the second signee in women’s basketball history to be named a McDonald’s All-American.

Essence Cody, a five-star forward prospect for the class of 2023 and Alabama women’s basketball signee has been named to the McDonald’s All-American team.

Cody is just the second signee for the women’s program to be named to the prestigious roster joining 2010 signee Kaneisha Horn.

The Valdosta, Ga native is considered by ESPNW to be the top post player in the state and is ranked as the No. 22 overall prospect in the class of 2023.

Cody is one of 24 prospects that were selected to join the prestigious McDonald’s All-American team.

The 6’4″forward should make an immediate impact for Kristy Curry and the Crimson Tide next season.

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Former St. John’s guard Omar Cook should be celebrated as he ends a long international career

The NYC legend is calling it a career.

For thousands of young basketball players across the country, playing in the NBA is the ultimate dream. Anything short of that can feel like a failure.

However, not everyone can make the NBA. There are only 450 roster spots, and only a small fraction of those open up each year. For players who prove good enough to play professionally while being unable to crack one of those coveted spots, international play has always been a great alternative. Playing overseas has provided countless players the opportunity to extend their careers and get paid doing something they love. No one is a better example of that than Omar Cook, the former St. John’s guard who announced his likely retirement Saturday at 40 years old.

If you’ve never heard of Cook, it’s not your fault. He’s been playing in European leagues since 2006. But make no mistake, the former McDonald’s All-American was a legend at home in New York City before his one year in college. As a freshman at St. John’s in 2000-01, he was second in the country in assists per game at 8.7 and led the team in scoring at 15.3 points per game.

However, Cook’s decision to come out of a college after that year backfired, as he waited until the second round of the 2001 draft to hear his name called. After being selected by the Orlando Magic, he bounced around the D League a few years and played just 22 NBA games before making his way to Europe.

Instead of letting that decision define him, Cook stuck with his passion and turned himself into a mainstay overseas for nearly two decades. He’ll finish his career as the Liga ACB all-time leader in assists per game — sixth all-time in total assists — and he’s top 15 all-time in EuroCup assists, according to Basketball-Reference. His NBA dream didn’t work out but he was still able to make a name for himself in basketball. And he should be celebrated for that.

Cheers to an amazing career.

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Pair of LSU commits named to McDonald’s All-American team

Both Women’s and Men’s LSU basketball teams have McDonald’s All-Americans headed to Baton Rouge.

LSU women’s and men’s basketball teams are off to fantastic seasons. Both have a combined 32-7, with the women being 17-3 and the men 15-4. Both teams have some new talent coming in with recently named McDonald’s All-Americans. For the men Julian Phillips and for the women Flau’Jae Johnson. 

The McDonald’s All-American Game is where the best high school basketball players play. The game is played in Chicago.

Julian Phillips 

Phillips is ranked the No.12 player in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite. He is a five-star player that signed with LSU at the end of November. Phillips is a 6-8 forward with a high IQ and can play many different positions. In addition, he can shoot the ball and can move without the basketball. Phillips will be a great addition to the Tigers team.

Phillips will be the 20th McDonald’s All-Ameican that has signed with LSU. The first one was John Williams in 1984, and the previous player was Trendon Watford in 2019.

Flau’Jae Johnson

Johnson is ranked as the No.6 guard in the nation by ESPNW’s Hoopgurlz. She can play any perimeter position on the court at a high level. In addition, Johnson has outstanding court vision and can shoot the basketball from the outside. Also. Johnson is a hard worker and should develop into a star under Kim Mulkey.

Alabama lands two signees on McDonald’s All-American roster

Alabama lands two signees on McDonald’s All-American roster

Nate Oats and his coaching staff have really outdone themselves on the recruiting trail, reeling in one of the top classes in the country for the class of 2022.

Just to show you how impressive the class really is, for the first time in school history, Alabama has landed two signees from the same class on the McDonald’s All-American game roster.

Five-stars Jaden Bradley and Brandon Miller have each been selected to compete in the prestigious contest. Here is the complete McDonald’s All-American game roster.

With this impressive recruiting haul, the expectations for Oats and the Tide will continue to grow.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Stacey Blackwood on Twitter @Blackwood89.

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