The Final 48 Cement Legacy Among Basketball Greats, as Games Go Virtual
HOUSTON, TX (Feb. 18, 2021) – The McDonald’s All American Games is the pinnacle of high school basketball. Each year ushers a new group of young players into a club of legendary athletes, many of whom are known by a single name: Shaq, Lebron, Candace, A’ja. Continuing a decades-long tradition of celebrating the next generation of basketball greats, McDonald’s announced that Rori Harmon and Kyndall Hunter, both of Cypress Creek High School, were selected to the final roster for the 2021 McDonald’s All American Games teams. The players’ selection was revealed today during a segment on ESPN’s The Jump. The complete list of 2021 McDonald’s All Americans can be viewed here.
From lockdown defenders to three-point specialists, these forty-eight high school seniors – comprising the top 24 girls and 24 boys in the country – were selected by a committee of basketball experts from more than 700 nominated players. While the top high school talent won’t face off on the court this year due to COVID-19, a virtual celebration is being planned to give these incredible student-athletes the shine they deserve for their accomplishments and dedication to the game of basketball.
A once in a lifetime achievement, Harmon and Hunger now join a prestigious list of more than 1,400 former McDonald’s All Americans – an elite group of some of the top names in basketball history, including Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, James Harden, Candace Parker, Maya Moore, Elena Delle Donne, Skylar Diggins and Breanna Stewart.
Games Go Virtual
Last week, McDonald’s announced the difficult decision to forego an in-person Games and honor the 2021 class through a virtual celebration, that will highlight the Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®). In keeping with the storied tradition, the final 48 will forever be known as McDonald’s All Americans and have their legacy cemented as some of the greatest to play the game.
As part of the celebration, McDonald’s will still name the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year for both the girls and boys this spring – an award given annually to the nation’s best high school player who has demonstrated outstanding character, exhibited leadership and embodied the values of being a student-athlete through school work and community affairs. In addition, each player will receive their official jerseys, a collection of adidas gear and player rings, given exclusively to those named to the McDonald’s All American Games final roster. This year’s class and the legacy of the Games will also be featured in a one-hour special on ESPN Saturday, April 3. Additional details around the celebration will be shared soon.
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About Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®), is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation that creates, finds, and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Through a global network of over 260 Chapters in 62 countries and regions, RMHC enables, facilitates and supports family-centered care through three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House®, the Ronald McDonald Family Room® and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®. RMHC programs help families with ill or injured children stay together and near leading hospitals and health care services worldwide, ensuring they have access to the medical care their child needs while fully supported and actively involved in their child’s care. For more information, visit rmhc.org. Follow RMHC on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.