2015 McDonald's All-American Boys Game

The 2015 McDonald's All-American Boys Game is an All-star basketball game that was played on April 1, 2015 at the United Center in Chicago, home of the Chicago Bulls. It was the 38th annual McDonald's All-American Game for high school boys. The game's rosters features the best and most highly recruited blue chip boys high school basketball players graduating in 2015. Chicago, which became the first city to host the game in back-to-back years in 2012,[1] continues to host the game annually for the fifth consecutive time.[2][3] When the rosters for the game were announced on January 28, 15 of the 24 players had committed to Division I basketball programs; Duke and LSU led the field with two commits each.[4]

2015 McDonald's All-American Boys Game
Cheick Diallo being honored as MVP
1st Half2nd Half Total
East 4962 111
West 4645 91
DateApril 1, 2015
ArenaUnited Center
CityChicago, Illinois
MVP/MOPCheick Diallo
OfficialsSteve Honacki, John Washo, Kevin Grayer
Halftime showJesse White Tumbling Team
NetworkESPN
McDonald's All-American
< 20142016 >

On March 10, 2015, Ben Simmons was named the Morgan Wootten Award winner, regarded as the McDonald's All-American national player of the year award. In the game, the East team—led by MVP Cheick Diallo's 18 points and 10 rebounds—defeated the West team by a 111–91 margin. In the associated Jam Fest, Dwayne Bacon, Luke Kennard and Jalen Brunson won the slam dunk contest, three-point shooting contest and skills competition, respectively.

Rosters
2015 All-American Boys game coaches Bruce Kelley (left) and Robert Smith (right) during the March 29 closed practice

At the time of the roster announcement the 24 players included 22 of the top 25 players according to the 2015 ESPN 100.[4] The two highest rated players (Ben Simmons and Jaylen Brown) were both named to the East team.[4][5] The West team roster was highlighted by Malik Newman.[3] Based on ratings at ESPN.com, the highest rated eligible player not invited was number 18 ranked Texas A&M signee Tyler Davis.[4] However, according to 247Sports.com's composite ranking, the highest rated non-invitee was 15th-ranked Arizona signee Ray Smith.[5] Nine uncommitted players at the time of the roster announcement was regarded as a high total and was higher than the total of two the year before.[4][5] Kentucky signee Skal Labissière (number 3 at ESPN and number 5 at 247Sports.com) was not eligible due to his athletic ineligibility after transferring.[4][5] As of gametime, 8 players remained undecided on their college affiliations.[6] 5 of the players were scheduled to begin play in the Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals the following day.[7]

Halftime performers Jesse White Tumbling Team

On March 10, 2015, Simmons was named the Morgan Wootten Award winner, given annually to the best male McDonald's All-American player who exemplifies outstanding character, exhibits leadership and embodies the values of being a student-athlete in the classroom and in the community. In doing so, he joined Austin Rivers (2011) as the only Florida high schoolers to win the award.[8] In the week prior to the game Diamond Stone committed to Maryland.[9] Also, Jaylen Brown made news that week for a stop sign violation, but his participation in the game was not in jeopardy.[10] Henry Ellenson endured a broken hand on March 20 in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 2 semifinals,[11] and he did not play in the McDonald's All-American game.[12][13]

The POWERADE Jam Fest was held at the Gerald Ratner Center of the University of Chicago on March 30. The slam dunk contest included Kristine Anigwe, who was attempting to become the first girl to win the dunk contest since Candace Parker won the 2004 contest.[14] Dwayne Bacon won the dunk contest against finalist Stephen Zimmerman with dunks that included a dunk over Jalen Rose who stood in front of the basket, while Anigwe failed to complete a dunk.[15] Luke Kennard won the boys three-point shooting contest over finalists Jalen Brunson and Antonio Blakeney.[16] Brunson won the boys Skills Competition over finalists Carlton Bragg Jr. and Isaiah Briscoe.[17]

Luke Kennard won the Jack Daly Award for sportsmanship

Following the game, Thomas Bryant committed to Indiana on April 4.[18][19] On April 10, Caleb Swanigan committed to Michigan State (joining Davis).[20] Ivan Rabb committed to California on April 13.[21] Zimmerman committed to UNLV on April 16.[22] Newman committed to Mississippi State on April 24.[23] North Carolina native, Brandon Ingram, who had risen to #3 overall in the ESPN 100 prior to his announcement, selected Duke (joining Kennard and Jeter) on April 27.[24] The following day, Diallo committed to Kansas (joining Bragg).[25] Jaylen Brown committed to California (joining Rabb) on May 1.[26] On May 7, Swaningan decommitted from Michigan State.[27] Then on May 19, he committed to Purdue.[28]

East Roster
^player was uncommitted when the team was announced
Dwayne Bacon
Antonio Blakeney
Isaiah Briscoe
Jaylen Brown
Thomas Bryant
Cheick Diallo
Henry Ellenson
Jawun Evans
Luke Kennard
Dedric Lawson
Ben Simmons
Diamond Stone

West Roster
^player was uncommitted when the team was announced
Carlton Bragg Jr.
Jalen Brunson
Deyonta Davis
PJ Dozier
Brandon Ingram
Chase Jeter
Malik Newman
Ivan Rabb
Malachi Richardson
Caleb Swanigan
Allonzo Trier
Stephen Zimmerman

Bruce Kelley of the Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland coached the East team, while Robert Smith of Chicago's Simeon Career Academy coached the West team.[4]

Results

The East defeated the West by a 111–91 score.[29] Cheick Diallo earned MVP of the game after posting 18 points and 10 rebounds, for the East team.[6][7] Five East team players (Diallo, Antonio Blakeney, Diamond Stone, Dwayne Bacon, and Isaiah Briscoe) and four West team players (Allonzo Trier, Brandon Ingram, PJ Dozier, and Ivan Rabb) reached double figures in scoring.[30]

April 1, 2015
08:30
East 111–91 West
Scoring by half: 49–46, 62–45
Pts: Cheick Diallo 18
Rebs: Diallo/Ben Simmons 10
Asts: Jawun Evans 4		 Pts: Allonzo Trier 17
Rebs: Deyonta Davis 9
Asts: Malik Newman 5
United Center, Chicago, IL
Referees: Steve Honacki, John Washo, Kevin Grayer

Notes
  1. "Chicago to Host McDonald's All-American Again in 2012". SLAM Magazine. October 24, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  2. Jordan, Jason (October 24, 2012). "McDonald's All American Games to stay in Chicago". USA Today. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  3. O'Donnell, Ricky (January 28, 2015). "Ben Simmons, Jaylen Brown lead 2015 McDonald's All-American Game rosters". SB Nation. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  4. Borzello, Jeff (January 28, 2015). "East, West rosters unveiled". ESPN. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  5. Vecenie, Sam (January 28, 2015). "2015 McDonald's All-American game participants selected". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  6. "Undecided Cheick Diallo leads East over West in McDonald's game". ESPN. Associated Press. April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  7. Jordan, Jason (April 2, 2015). "Chieck Diallo earns MVP as East wins McDonald's All American Game with Photo Gallery". USA Today. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  8. Biancardi, Paul (March 10, 2015). "Ben Simmons wins Wootten Award". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  9. Borzello, Jeff (March 27, 2015). "Diamond Stone commits to Terps". ESPN. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  10. Halley, Jim (March 26, 2015). "McDonald's All American Jaylen Brown arrested on traffic charges". USA Today. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  11. Stewart, Mark (March 21, 2015). "Marquette recruit Henry Ellenson has broken hand, won't play D2 title game". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  12. Pearson, Zack (March 31, 2015). "Marquette recruit Henry Ellenson to miss McDonald's All American Game". Milwaukee Sun-Times. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  13. Velazquez, Matt (March 30, 2015). "Henry Ellenson out of McDonald's All-American Game, Nike Hoops Summit". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  14. Hendricks, Maggie (March 30, 2014). "Kristine Anigwe: Meet the girl battling the boys in McDonald's All American dunk contest". USA Today. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  15. Jordan, Jason (March 30, 2014). "Oak Hill's Dwayne Bacon wins slam dunk crown at McDonald's All American Game". USA Today. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  16. Jordan, Jason (March 30, 2014). "Ohio sharpshooter Luke Kennard takes 3-point title at McDonald's All American Game". USA Today. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  17. Jordan, Jason (March 30, 2014). "Jalen Brunson wins skills competition at McDonald's All American Game". USA Today. Retrieved April 1, 2015.
  18. Borzello, Jeff (April 4, 2015). "Indiana adds 22nd-ranked Thomas Bryant to recruiting class". ESPN. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  19. Phillips, Scott (April 4, 2015). "Indiana lands Class of 2015 All-American big man Thomas Bryant". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  20. Borzello, Jeff (April 10, 2015). "Caleb Swanigan, No. 8 in ESPN 100, commits to Michigan St". ESPN. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  21. Borzello, Jeff (April 13, 2015). "Coveted prospect Ivan Rabb chooses California over Arizona". ESPN. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  22. Borzello, Jeff (April 16, 2015). "Stephen Zimmerman, five-star senior center, joins strong UNLV class". ESPN. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  23. Borzello, Jeff (April 24, 2015). "Top recruit Malik Newman commits to Mississippi State". ESPN. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  24. Borzello, Jeff (April 27, 2015). "Brandon Ingram headed to Duke". ESPN. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  25. Biancardi, Paul (April 28, 2015). "No. 7 recruit PF Cheick Diallo says he has committed to Kansas Jayhawks". ESPN. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  26. Borzello, Jeff (May 1, 2015). "Jaylen Brown commits to Cal". ESPN. Retrieved May 2, 2015.
  27. Goodman, Jeff (May 7, 2015). "Sources: Caleb Swanigan decommits from Michigan State Spartans". ESPN. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  28. Borzello, Jeff (May 19, 2015). "Caleb Swanigan commits to Purdue". ESPN. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  29. "Official Basketball Box Score -- Game Totals -- Final Statistics: EAST vs WEST: 4/1/15 8:00 pm at United Center Chicago, IL" (PDF). McDonald's All-American Game. April 1, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  30. "Cheick Diallo leads East to McDonald's All-American Game victory". NBC Sports. April 1, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
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