By SSN’s Dave Schmidt

From the Dictionary—-re·vamp…verb:

revamping/rēˈvamp/give new and improved form, structure, or appearance to.

(1-24-24) Yesterday the rosters were released for the 2024 McDonald’s All-American boys and girls game in Houston on April 2nd.

With over 700 athletes (boys and girls) being nominated we see a trend in the selection process that is starting to raise the eyebrows of high school basketball fans across America.

Taking a look at the boys rosters you can see a trend to that is turning the event into a ‘media’ pleasing format.

The East roster includes three players from the same ‘basketball factory‘ school. Those three players list their hometowns in three different states. Players who have been recruited to those schools to supposedly enhance their chance for a college scholarship.

Montverde Academy –

  • Ace Flagg, Newport, Maine
  • Liam McNeeley, Richardson, Texas
  • Derik Queen, Baltimore Maryland

Three East roster spots to players from North Carolina schools and two from New York schools…four Catholic schools are on the roster.

The West squad features three players from another ‘basketball factory‘ school, all who list hometowns from different states.

Prolific Prep

  • Zoom Diallo, Tacoma Washington
  • Derion Reed Grovertown, Georgia
  • Aiden Sherrell, Detroit, Michigan

The West roster has players from Georgia, Indiana, New York and New Jersey.

Two players from a ‘basketball factory‘ school, placed one on the East roster and one on the West roster.

Overtime Elite Academy

  • John Bol, Borne South Sudan – on the East roster
  • Korter Knox, Riverview, Florida – on the West roster

The majority of the players nominated for the game don’t really have a chance to make a roster and actually play in the game. The McDonald’s committee needs to eliminate the ‘basketball factory‘ schools and select players who attend an actual high school in their community.

If McDonald’s wants to feature players from a ‘basketball factory‘ school then call it what it is. Let’s face it those schools look more like AAU teams, then high school teams. They want to turn it into a media circus event…then they should do it.

In 2017 this TXitter conversation took place…many would now agree with the Chicago sportswriter —

Below is a Twitter conversation between a prep basketball writer from Chicago and SSN

XXXXXXXX‏X @xxxxxxxxxx (his intital tweet)
Don’t get worked up about the burger company all-american nominations. Totally meaningless. They basically name anyone a coach suggests.

Dave Schmidt – SSN ‏@ssndschmidt
@xxxxxxxxxx How players are selected for the McDonald’s All-American game- https://statelinesportsnetwork.net/2017/01/11/is-the-mcdonalds-all-american-game-a-big-deal-yep/

XXXXXXXX‏X @xxxxxxxxxx
@ssndschmidt that has nothing to do with what I’m referring to.

Dave Schmidt – SSN ‏@ssndschmidt
@xxxxxxxxxx the entire process of nominating a player, to selection process is in the story , including who can nominate players

XXXXXXXX‏X @xxxxxxxxxx
@ssndschmidt except that isn’t what really happens. those nominations have nothing to do with who is selected.

Dave Schmidt – SSN ‏@ssndschmidt
@xxxxxxxxxx info came straight from game officials in a reply to my email, straight from person who oversees it

XXXXXXXX‏X @xxxxxxxxxx
@ssndschmidt a selection committee picks the team. they don’t care (or even know) who gets nominated. what they told you is the PR.

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