McDonald's All American Game 2015: Results, Highlights and Top Performances
The 2015 McDonald's All American Game provided fans with an early look at basketball's potential next generation of big stars on Wednesday, and the high school players certainly did not disappoint as the East squad romped to a 111-91 win over the West team at the United Center in Chicago.
Rivals.com's Jeff Rabjohns noted that uncommitted prep star Cheick Diallo took home the game's MVP award:
The East squad took a 49-46 halftime lead and never looked back, stretching their advantage slowly but surely throughout the second half on their way to the convincing victory.
While there was plenty of poor shooting scattered throughout the game, there was still time for the prep stars to fit in a couple of highlight-reel plays in this one.
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Uncommitted forward Stephen Zimmerman galvanized the crowd with this thumping one-handed jam, via ESPN College BBall:
"Welcome to the #SCtop10 Stephen Zimmerman #McDAAG https://t.co/zpgSrEh5Mg
— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) April 2, 2015"
Carlton Bragg, a future Kansas Jayhawk, briefly eschewed gravity for this nice windmill dunk, via Bleacher Report:
The game's official Twitter account noted the halftime entertainment wasn't half bad, either:
Many fans tuning into this game were of course looking to catch glimpses of the future.
Some were of course taking a peek at the next hardwood stars coming to a campus near them, while others were no doubt dreaming about the uncommitted talents donning their favorite school's colors—and perhaps dreading the prospect of a commitment to their most hated rivals.
Committed or uncommitted, here's a quick rundown of some of the standout performers from the exhibition.
Top Performers
Cheick Diallo
As the game's MVP, it makes sense to start with Diallo, an uncommitted power forward from Our Savior New American School in Centereach, New York. The 6'9" stud romped his way to 18 points (8-of-14 shooting), 10 boards and three assists in just 17 minutes of play.
Diallo may be a tall, lanky prospect, but he showed off his ability to delight and dazzle with this slick spin move during the game, via Matt Scott of 247Sports:
Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader attributed Diallo's impressive display to his lack of an off switch:
Diallo, the No. 1 power forward recruit in the nation, has a whole host of suitors, but 247Sports' Crystal Ball gives St. John's and Kansas the edge, with the two storied schools each garnering 30 percent of the experts' predictions.
Ben Simmons and Antonio Blakeney
As the Gatorade National Player of the Year and nation's top overall recruit, some might have expected Ben Simmons to have a flashier box score after all was said and done on Wednesday.
Seven points, 10 rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals won't catch anyone's eye when scanning a piece of paper, but the future LSU star certainly passed the eyeball test for those checking the game itself.
104.5 ESPN's Matt Moscona and ESPN Insider Jeff Borzello offered their takes on Simmons' performance:
The star small forward played the game alongside fellow future Bayou Bengal Antonio Blakeney, who put in a solid shift with 14 points and four rebounds.
Blakeney, perhaps feeling especially confident in his and Simmons' roundball abilities, made waves on Tuesday when he told reporters that he isn't afraid of standing up to the Kentucky juggernaut when he joins the college ranks next season.
"We aren't worried about Kentucky, you can quote that," Blakeney said, per MaxPreps' Greg Bates. "We're not worried about Kentucky.
LSU fans, it's totally OK to be irrationally, prematurely excited for next season.
Brandon Ingram
We have to show the West squad some love, right?
Brandon Ingram acquitted himself very well on Wednesday, putting up 15 points on 6-of-11 shooting while bringing down five boards and snagging two steals.
247Sports' Jerry Meyer noted he did most of his damage in the first half:
Borzello raved about his long-term potential:
Scout.com's Evan Daniels also noted his impressive showing extended beyond the confines of the All American Game:
Ingram, who hails from Kinston, North Carolina, has offers from the likes of Duke, UNC, UCLA and Kentucky, among others. The swingman still has plenty to consider regarding his future, but he did provide an update on when fans might expect to get a final word on his decision.
“I want to announce by the end of this month,” Ingram said prior to Wednesday's exhibition, via College Basketball Talk's Scott Phillips. “Of course, I want to get some more answers out of the way before I make my decision.”
With two of the best programs in the nation in Ingram's home state, don't be surprised if his decision comes down to a choice between the two big heavies from the Research Triangle, Duke and North Carolina.
Recruiting info via 247Sports unless otherwise noted. Game stats and box score can be found at McDonaldsAllAmerican.com.
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