2018 McDonald's All-American Games Experience

The top players in the 2018 class converged on Atlanta, GA for a week of charity, rewards for spectacular respective high school careers, and elite level practices. The cap to the week was the 17 ^th annual Women’s McDonald’s All-American Game hosted at Philips Arena.

PBR’s Joey Simmons was courtside with the two of chairmen of the games, Joe and Terri Lynn Wooten. Jason Key, Mark Williams, and Shane Laflin sat mid-court for their first MCDAA games experience.



24 players were voted on by a 15-person selection committee and split into two teams, “East vs West”.  
The players, coaches, and families were treated to quite an experience in Atlanta. From appearances to practices, they were kept on the go as there is much demand to see the McDonald’s All-Americans during this week. There was the Fan Fest on Sunday, the Ronald McDonald House Visit and the Powerade Jam Fest on Monday, and the Awards Reception and Ring Ceremony on Tuesday. Wednesday morning hosted the Selection Committee and Parents Reception Breakfast, and of course the main event: the McDonald’s All-American Game that evening.

We were afforded a special experience on the way into the Powerade Jam Fest on Monday evening. We met and walked into the venue with one of the Ronald McDonald House children, Andrew. He was geared up in his Jam Fest hoodie and on his way in to be a judge in the Slam Dunk Contest! The little man was too excited.. and spoke so highly of his experience with the players earlier that day.

The West team came out victorious by a final score of 82-79.  Morgan Wooten National Player of the Year recipient and UCONN signee Christyn Williams continued her storied high school career by winning the John R. Wooden MVP award finishing with 22 pts, 12 rebs & 4 assts including 4/5 from 3-point land for the game. Other game standouts on the West team were Baylor signee Queen Egbo with 13 pts, 8 rebs & 5 blocks, Arizona signee Catherine Reese with 8 pts & 5 rebs, and Baylor signee Aquira DeCosta with 6 pts and 10 rebs.

The West roster also included Elizabeth Balogun (Georgia Tech), Charli Collier (Texas), Elizabeth Dixon (Georgia Tech), McKenzie Forbes (California), Katlyn Gilbert (Notre Dame), Zarielle Green (Tennessee), Honesty Scott-Grayson (Baylor), and Nalyssa Smith (Baylor).



The East team was led by Oklahoma signee and Jack Daly Sportsmanship Award winner (voted on by fellow MCDAA players and coaching staff) Madison Williams with 13 pts and 7 rebs. Other standouts for the East team included Texas signee Sedona Prince with 12 pts, 4 rebs, 3 blocks, South Carolina signee Destanni Henderson with 11 pts on 3/3 from 3-point land, Florida State signee Valencia Myers with 9 pts & 5 rebs and UCONN signee Olivia Nelson-Ododa with 8 pts & 8 rebs.

The East roster also included Shakira Austin (Maryland), Jenna Brown (Stanford), Amira Collins (Tennessee), Emily Engstler (Syracuse), Jazmine Massengill (Tennessee), Izabela Nicoletti (Florida State), and Jordan Nixon (Notre Dame).



It was of no surprise that the game was a close one. The scrimmage on Tuesday was back and forth and came down to a final possession as the coaches played several different combinations and the players found their roles for their respective teams. As with most “All-Star” events, the game gets tighter and more competitive as the clock runs and we get closer to the end. The players had fun, their personalities showed a bit, and the truly elite of the class showed why they are just that.

This year’s players represented 12 states. Texas led the way with seven players followed by Tennessee with three, while California, Georgia, Maryland and New York had two representing players each.

The Big 12 & ACC led the way with seven signees per conference playing in the game followed by the SEC with four. Baylor had four signees followed by Tennessee with three while UCONN, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame and Texas had two signees each in the game.