The McDonald’s All American Games unveiled its list of the 35 Greatest McDonald’s All Americans, released in celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the McDonald’s All American High School Boys Game. The list is comprised of some of the top names in basketball history, a veritable basketball pantheon, including six players with Chicago connections (Isiah Thomas (1979), Glenn ‘Doc’ Rivers (1980), Michael Jordan (1981), Kevin Garnett (1995), Jay Williams (1999) and Derrick Rose (2007).
Rose, Williams and Jordan, obviously, have suited up for the Bulls. Chicago hosts the Boston Celtics tonight at the United Center, so there will be a special ceremony, as Celtics Coach Doc Rivers will be joined (in addition to Garnett) Paul Pierce who is on the list below.
The list comprised of some of the top names in basketball history, and features past and present Olympics, NBA and NCAA stars, including:
Earvin “Magic” Johnson (McDonald’s All American class of 1977), Clark Kellogg (1979), Ralph Sampson (1979), Isiah Thomas (1979), Dominique Wilkins (1979), James Worthy (1979), Sam Perkins (1980), Glenn “Doc” Rivers (1980), Patrick Ewing (1981), Michael Jordan (1981), Chris Mullin (1981), Kenny Smith (1983), Danny Manning (1984), Larry Johnson (1987), Christian Laettner (1988), Alonzo Mourning (1988), Bobby Hurley (1989), Shaquille O’Neal (1989), Grant Hill (1990), Glenn Robinson (1991), Jason Kidd (1992), Jerry Stackhouse (1993), Vince Carter (1995), Kevin Garnett (1995), Paul Pierce (1995), Kobe Bryant (1996), Jay Williams (1999), Carmelo Anthony (2002), Amare Stoudemire (2002), LeBron James (2003), Chris Paul (2003), Dwight Howard (2004), Tyler Hansbrough (2005), Kevin Durant (2006) and Derrick Rose (2007).
“This list of great McDonald’s All Americans recognizes 35 years of basketball excellence,” said Douglas Freeland, director of the McDonald’s All American Games. “These players are a veritable ‘who’s who’ of basketball’s modern era.”
Each of the players was selected by members of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee. In determining the list, all past McDonald’s All Americans were considered based on his high school career and performance in the McDonald’s All American Games, success at the collegiate and professional level, and post-career accomplishments.
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