With Julius Erving keeping tabs, Compton star soars to easy dunk contest victory; More winners; More history than you'll ever need to know.
McDonald’s All-American Game Notebook
By Mitch Stephens
MaxPreps.com
MILWAUKEE – The Doctor was in the house so DeMar DeRozan offered a little pediatrics.
With NBA great Julius Erving as one of the judges, the high-flying 6-foot-6 Compton High senior successfully completed a “Tap the Baby” offering to easily win the Slam Dunk contest during Monday’s Jam Fest as part of the McDonald’s All-American festivities at U.S. Cellular Arena.
DeRozan, with reportedly a 40-inch-plus vertical jump, went up with the ball in his left hand and while over the rim passed the ball to his right hand, which softly tapped the ball into the basket.
The heavily-favored USC star, known for his circus dunks, recorded his second straight perfect 80 score for a total of 160 to defeat runner-up Elliot Williams, a 6-4 guard from St. George’s Independent School (Memphis, TN.), with 143 points.
DeRozan said he was overtaken and surprised by Erving’s appearance. The Hall of Fame forward, who was actually drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1972 but opted to play for the ABA’s Virginia Squires, received a standing ovation from the 4,000 or so in attendance.
The Jam Fest will be televised on delay by ESPN tonight. The 31st meeting between the East and West boys will be broadcast live (9:30 p.m. EST) on ESPN Wednesday, following the McDonald’s All-American girls game that will be televised live (7 p.m.) on ESPNU.
“I had to tap the baby (the ball),” DeRozan said. “I had to tap it soft.”
He was mobbed by members of both the East and West squads. DeRozan, who averaged 30.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game his senior season, called the victory the No. 1 thrill he’s had as a high school player.
Other notables to win the competition are Gerald Henderson (2006), Candace Parker (2004), LeBron James (2003), Carmelo Anthony (2002), Ronald Curry (1998), Baron Davis (1997), Vince Carter (1995) and Jerry Stackhouse (1993).
“Considering where it was at and in this setting, so far, yes that’s the biggest,” he said.
It was also thrilling because Erving was watching. Afterward he shook Erving’s hand.
“That’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” DeRozan said.
MORE WINNERS: Larry Drew II (boys 3-point shooting contest), Ashley Corral (girls 3-point shooting) and the combination of Nnemkadi Ogwumike and Jrue Holiday (Team Ball) were other winners on the night.
Drew (Taft, Los Angeles) made his last three attempts to edge Luke Babbitt (Galena, Reno, Nev.) 17-14, Corral (Prairie, Vancouver, Wash.) defeated West teammate Briana Gilbreth (Cinco Ranch, Katy, Texas) 15-12 and Ogwumike (Cy-Fair, Cypress, Texas) and Holiday (Campbell Hall, North Hollywood, Calif.) scored 35 points to win in the finals by 20 points.
Holiday and Ogwumike had never met before Monday but had heard much about one another. Each considered competing in the slam dunk contest but each backed out at the last minute and were paired together.
“I’ve heard what a great player he was so I felt pretty good about our chances,” said the Stanford-bound Ogwumike said.
Said Holiday: “I felt the same. I knew about (Ogwumike) but never met her.”
The duo actually unleashed a 51-score during preliminaries, by far the best of the competition. Runner-up Malcolm Lee (North, Moreno Valley, Calif.) and Nikki Speed (Marlborough, Pasadena, Calif.) had the night’s second best score at 41.
“We just went out and had fun,” Holiday said.
Said Ogwumike: “It’s all mental. Obviously everyone here are good offensive players but it’s just a matter of concentrating and not letting the setting get to you.”
MORE HIGHLIGHTS ON A ROLL: Besides the ovation for Erving, the loudest cheer was for Lakota West (West Chester) senior Amber Gray when she danced with rapper Ne-Yo during one of his three numbers. Gray’s bump and grind was a complete improvisation and had both girls teams’ rolling. … Ne-Yo was also a slam dunk judge as were former Packers’ defensive tackle Gilbert Brown, Miss Wisconsin Christina Thompson, WNBA standout Barbara Turner, former Marquette and former NBA standout Tony Smith.
ALUMNI CENTRAL: The cello theme song on its official website is catchy and ominous.
The slam dunk contest and 3-point shooting, better known as Jam Fest scheduled tonight, is always a favorite.
The YouTube highlight reel of the East boys team is equally impressive.
But nothing catches the attention of true basketball fans than the list of alums who have graced the last 31 McDonald All-American games, pitting the top high school senior basketball players in the land.
Among the show-stoppers from the boys games that started 31 years ago: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Jason Kidd and Magic Johnson.
That get one’s attention.
Among the starlets: Tina Charles, Maya Moore, Candace Parker, Courtney Paris and Nikki Blue have played in the female All American game since it began in 2002.
CHANCES ARE: If you’re selected to the McDonald’s All American team your chances to make it all the way to the NBA is pretty good. How good? Of the 649 players selected over the last 30 years, 431 have reached the NBA, a percentage of 66 percent or two out of three. Keep in mind, that includes selections from the last four years, many of whom are still playing in college.
Other players currently on WNBA rosters: LaTangela Atkinson (Indiana Fever), Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Willnett Crockett (Los Angeles Sparks), Tye-sha Fluker (Charlotte Sting), Erin Grant (Seattle Storm), Ann Strother (Phoenix Mercury), Kasha Terry (Indiana Fever), Barbara Turner (Seattle Storm), Mistie Williams (Houston Comets) and Shanna Zolman (San Antonio Silver Stars).
MARCH MCDONALD’S MADNESS: Only twice since 1977 – when the McDonald’s games started – have college teams won NCAA titles without having a former McDonald’s All-American on its roster, Kentucky (1978) and Maryland (2002).
BRUIN PIPELINE: Current seniors Jrue Holiday and Malcolm Lee make the seventh time at least two McDonalds Al Americans have signed to UCLA. The other years: 2004 (Arron Affalo, Jordan Farmer), 1998 (Dan Gadzuric, JaRon Rush, Ray Young), 1989 (Mitchell Butler, Tracy Murray), 1988 (Don McLean, Derrick Martin), 1981 (Stuart Gray, Nigel Miguel), 1980 (Kenneth Fields, Ralph Jackson).
OAK HILL PIPELINE: Brandon Jenning’s selection makes the eighth straight year an Oak Hill Academy player has been picked. The others: Nolan Smith (2007), Tywon Lawson (2006), Eric Devendorf (2005), Rajon Rondo (2004), Josh Smith (2004), Ivan Harris (2003), Carmelo Anthony (2002), DeSagana Diop (2001), Rashaad Carruth (2001).
Top 5 Central
TOP 5 STATES REPRESENTED (BOYS): California 74, New York 59, Illinois 55, Virginia 50, Michigan, Maryland and Texas, 35.
TOP 5 UNIVERSITIES (BOYS) RECEIVING MAM TALENT: North Carolina 50, Duke 43, Kansas 26, Kentucky 26, UCLA 26.
TOP 5 HIGH SCHOOLS (BOYS) REPRESENTED IN GAME: Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, VA.) 23, DeMatha (Hyattsville, MD.) 11, Dunbar (Baltimore) 7, Martin Luther King (Chicago) 5, Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) 5, St. Anthony’s (Jersey City, N.J.) 5.
TOP 5 SCORERS IN BOYS HISTORY: Jonathan Bender (West 1999) 31, Michael Jordan (East 1981) 30, Eddy Curry (West 2001) 28, Paul Pierce (West 1995) 28, Chris Webber (West 1991) 28.
TOP 5 SCORERS IN GIRLS HISTORY: Alexis Hornbuckle (East 2004) 22, Ann Stroter (West 2002) 21, Shanna Zolman (East 2002) 21, Marissa Coleman (East 2005) 19, Candace Parker (West 2004) 19.
TOP 5 ASSISTS BOYS: Jacque Vaughn (West 1993) 13, Andrew Barrett (East 2000) 12, Erick Barkley (West 1998) 12, Sebastian Telfair (East 2004) 11, Brett Nelson (West 1999) 11, Adrian Autry (East 1990) 11.
TOP 5 ASSISTS GIRLS: Jasmine Thomas (East 2007) 6, Erin Grant (West 2002) 5, Shanna Zolman (East 2002) 5, six tied with 4.
TOP 5 REBOUNDS BOYS: Sam Perkins (East 1980) 24, Othella Harrington (West 1992) 21, Shaquille O’Neal (West 1989) 16, Dallas Comegys (East 1983) 16, John Williams (West 1984) 16, Rudy Woods (West 1978) 16.
TOP 5 REBOUNDS GIRLS: Kelley Cain (East 2007) 14, Kayla Pedersen (West 2007) 12, Courtney Paris (West 2005) 12, Seimone Augustus (East 2002) 12, Willnett Crockett (West 2002) 11.
TOP 5 BLOCKS BOYS: Ralph Sampson (East 1979) 10, Shawn Bradley (West 1990) 6, O’Neal (West 1989) 6, Kwame Brown (East 2001) 5, Dwayne Schintzius (West 1986) 5, Camegys (East 1983) 5.
TOP 5 BLOCKS GIRLS: Alison Bales (East 2003) 9, Amanda Thompson (West 2006) 5, Courtney Paris (West 2005) 4, Candace Parker (West 2004) 4, four tied with 3.
TOP 5 STEALS BOYS: Khalid Reeves (East 1990) 10, Jordan Farmar (West 2004) 7, Dell Curry (East 1982) 6, Michael Jordan (East 1981) 6, Eight tied with 5.
MVP BOYS: Michael Beasley (2007), Chase Budinger (2006), Kevin Durant (2006), Josh McRoberts (2005), Dwight Howard (2004), J.R. Smith (2004), LeBron James (2003), J.J. Redick (2002), Eddy Curry (2001), Zach Randolph (2000), Jonathan Bender (1999), Ronald Curry (1998), Kenny Gregory (1997), Shaheen Holloway (1996), Kevin Garnett (1995), Felipe Lopez (1994), Jerry Stackhouse (1993), Jacque Vaughn (1993), Othella Harrington (1992), Rick Brunson (1991), Chris Webber (1991), Shawn Bradley (1990), Khalid Reeves (1990), Bobby Hurley (1989), Shaquille O’Neal (1989), Billy Owens (1988), Alonzo Mourning (1988), Mark Macon (1987), J.R. Reid (1986), Walker Lambiotte (1985), John Williams (1984).
MVP GIRLS: Jasmine Thomas (2007), Jayne Appel (2006), Courtney Paris (2005), Alexis Hornbuckle (2004), Katie Gearlds (2003), Ann Strother (2002), Shanna Zolman (2002).
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS BOYS: Gani Lawal (2007), Gerald Henderson (2006), Tasmin Mitchell (2005), glen Davis (2004), Chris Paul (2003), Dee Brown (2002), David Harrison (2001), Chris Duhon (2000), Brett Nelson (1999), Ted Dupay (1998), Shane Battier (1997), Nate James (1996).
SPORTSMANSHIP GIRLS: Drey Minto (2007), Bridgette Mitchell (2006), Carrem Gay (2005), Darrice Griffin (2004), Brooke Baughman (2003), Barbara Turner (2002).
Thanks to the superb media relations team at McDonalds, which supplies much of this information and makes our jobs 100 percent easier: Tara Hayes, with McDonalds, GolinHarris staff of Emily Fullmer, Liz Woerth, Brittany Gorniewicz, Steve Bent and Ben Lincoln, along with constables Lisa Todd and Anna Zeck.
E-mail Mitch Stephens at mstephens@maxpreps.com.
Read Stephens' take on California's connection. Day 2 at the McDonald's All-American Game. READ HERE.
Read Stephens' route to Day 1 at the McDonald's All-American game. READ HERE.
