Meet the 2023 McDonald’s All-Americans: 5 gamers preventing for No. 1, plus Bronny James and different standouts

The 2023 boys McDonald’s All-American Game has some apparent factors of intrigue as the highest highschool basketball gamers within the nation come to Houston for the annual All-Star showcase. This has lengthy been thought-about a star-making occasion because the final likelihood for gamers to make impressions earlier than the ultimate recruiting rankings are locked in. Having NBA scouts within the health club solely raises the stakes and the extent of play throughout apply classes, which could be extra significant than the sport itself.

The massive query coming into this 12 months’s McDonald’s All-American Game is the race for the No. 1 general participant. There is often a consensus selection for the perfect participant within the class by the point the All-Star circuit arrives, however that’s not the case this season. ESPN has Philadelphia-bred wing Justin Edwards at No. 1, 247 Sports has Atlanta-based level guard Isaiah Collier within the prime spot, and On3 has Arizona native Cody Williams ranked first within the class. Will anybody stand out and solidify themselves because the No. 1 prospect in the course of the week?

Beyond that, everybody else is questioning what’s subsequent for Bronny James. James was chosen for the McDonald’s Game and nonetheless hasn’t made his determination on the place he’ll play subsequent, although most anticipate he’ll go the faculty route.

Here’s an introduction to the 2023 boys McDonald’s All-Americans.

Who’s No. 1?

Here’s a have a look at 5 front-runners to be the No. 1 participant within the class (and probably the primary choose within the 2024 NBA Draft). Each participant has their faculty or professional dedication subsequent to their identify.

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Matas Buzelis, G/F, G League Ignite: At 6’9 or 6’10, Buzelis is a giant ahead who can deal with the ball like a guard and make performs as each a scorer and passer. He has superior ball dealing with means for his dimension, and can earn the ‘point-forward’ label as he makes some flashy passes, particularly within the open ground. Buzelis’s taking pictures is a query mark at this level: he has an extended, sluggish launch, and his highschool percentages have been mediocre at occasions. Scouts will get a superb have a look at if he can compete bodily subsequent season when he turns into the brand new star of the G League Ignite after bypassing provides from faculty basketball’s heavy hitters.

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Ron Holland, F, Texas: Holland has the positional dimension, athleticism, successful pedigree, and two-way proficiency to matchup with anybody on this class. A 6’8 wing, Holland has large velocity, quickness, and leaping means that he leverages to attain on the rim on offense and lock down a wide range of assignments defensively. He’s had a successful impression at each cease, serving to lead Duncanville High School in Texas to a number of state championships whereas additionally successful two gold medals with USA Basketball over the summers. Scouts will marvel if he has the takeover scoring means sometimes related to a No. 1 general participant, however Holland’s high-motor and well-rounded ability set at each ends of the ground makes him an intriguing guess on the prime of the category.

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D.J. Wagner, G, Kentucky: Wagner has lengthy been thought-about at or close to the highest of this class for his scoring means and well-known bloodlines. A 3rd-generation McDonald’s All-American because the son of Dajuan Wagner and grandson of Milt Wagner, D.J. is a 6’3 combo guard who has spectacular burst as a driver and hard shot-making means. The hope is that John Calipari will put the ball in his palms at Kentucky, and professional scouts will be capable to see how he balances a high-usage mix of scoring and playmaking. Wagner must show he has the decision-making expertise to be a main choice. Where his soar shot is at — each off the dribble and on spot-ups — can even be fascinating to observe. Wagner might be the largest identify on this class and will have each alternative to show he’s nonetheless its greatest participant.

Isaiah Collier, G, USC: Collier is a giant guard with a sophisticated really feel for the sport who could make each go within the guide. At 6’3 with broad shoulders and a stable construct, Collier makes use of his dimension and energy to run pick-and-roll, preserve defenders “in jail,” and strain the protection along with his passing means. While he lacks elite athleticism, he can typically bully smaller guards to the basket and continues to refine his ending craft. The massive query is his soar shot: Collier appears stable on his mid-range pull-up, however he’ll need to show he has vary past the three-point line to be the primary choose. For now, there’s no higher facilitator within the class and that makes him straightforward to mission at each the faculty and NBA ranges.

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Justin Edwards, F, Kentucky: A 6’7 wing out of Philly, Edwards looks like he needs to be an instant-impact producer at Kentucky, partly as a result of he’s older than most of his friends (he’ll flip 20 in Dec. of his freshman 12 months). The lefty has a easy mid-range pull-up sport that has received him loads of followers, and he has the scale and burst to get downhill, too. If he shoots a superb ball from three, it’s straightforward to see him as a top-10 and even top-5 choose in 2024 regardless of his age a la Brandon Miller.

Where does Bronny James fall in?

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James lastly stepped right into a main choice function as a senior at Sierra Canyon this season, and minted himself as a worthy McDonald’s All-American and borderline five-star recruit. You would by no means know the 6’3 guard is the son of an all-time nice from watching him play: James performs a very egoless sport the place he’s glad to tackle robust defensive assignments, struggle for 50/50 balls, house the ground, and assault the ring in transition. He’s hardly ever put up spectacular scoring numbers or operated at ultra-high utilization throughout his highschool profession, however that’s okay: James profiles because the type of successful function participant any famous person would wish to play with for his means to do the soiled work out on the perimeter. Check out our deep dive into James’ sport following his junior season.

No one is bound of what James will do after highschool, however most indications are he needs to play faculty basketball reasonably than pursuing professional choices. USC and UCLA have been talked about as hometown faculties, whereas Oregon is smart for the Nike connections along with his father. Wherever Bronny goes, he ought to make a successful impression as an athletic two-way guard even when he isn’t placing up massive scoring nights each sport.

Cody Williams is the fastest-riser due to his NBA brother

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Jalen Williams has been probably the greatest rookies within the NBA this season after the Oklahoma City Thunder chosen him at No. 12 general following a standout three-year faculty profession at Santa Clara. College evaluators who let Williams slip to the mid-major stage have been decided to not do the identical factor along with his youthful brother Cody Williams. Jalen’s rise right into a lottery choose and stud rookie positive appears to have helped his brother, who’s instantly the fastest-rising prospect in his highschool class.

Cody Williams was ranked round No. 80 in his class after his junior 12 months at Perry High School in Arizona, in response to Rivals. By the time he dedicated to Colorado, he was ranked No. 42 in his class. Now Williams is being projected because the No. 2 general choose ESPN’s early 2024 NBA mock draft.

Williams has an awesome body for a wing at 6’8 with lengthy arms (his brother measured at 6’6 with a 7’2 wingspan). He’s snug dealing with and passing the ball on the perimeter, and has proven improved ending craft close to the basket. His three-point shot has been streaky up to now, and will definitely be a giant consider his long-term analysis. It’s robust to know what to make of such a quick riser so late within the course of, however Williams actually received’t be flying beneath the radar like his massive brother did.

Who else stands out on this class?

Jared McCain, G, Duke: After a standout highschool profession at Los Angeles’ Centennial High, McCain feels able to be an instant-impact freshman at Duke. The 6’2 guard isn’t an elite athlete or the flashiest passer, however he’s a well-rounded guard who can maintain the ball whereas additionally flashing connective passing traits and knockdown taking pictures means. McCain felt like the perfect three-point shooter within the class even earlier than he received the McDonald’s three-point contest.

Omaha Biliew, F, Iowa State: The highest ranked recruit from the state of Iowa since Harrison Barnes, Biliew is a high-motor 6’8 wing who initiatives as some of the versatile defenders within the class. He has an awesome body to make a defensive impression with lengthy arms, a robust base, and a few perimeter quickness. SB Nation evaluated Biliew up shut throughout a sport at Waukee High School, and his three-point shot appeared higher than marketed. While he might not have a brilliant deep scoring bag but, Biliew matches into virtually any lineup along with his dimension, effort, and defensive means so long as his spot-up jumpers are falling.

Aaron Bradshaw, C, Kentucky: Super tantalizing 7-footer with flashes of perimeter ability who must be extra bodily imposing on a constant foundation. Bradshaw appears to be like the half defensively with good athletic fluidity on the perimeter whereas additionally displaying rim safety expertise. Offensively, he shoots a superb ball with spectacular vary, however might accept jumpers somewhat an excessive amount of. This is a new-school massive man who’s simply scratching the floor of his long-term potential.

Stephon Castle, G, UConn: Castle is big for a guard at 6’6 and perhaps even greater. He’s extra snug enjoying on the ball than off it at this level, each as a result of he can overwhelm conventional level guards along with his dimension and since he nonetheless struggles to shoot from the surface. He’s proven a formidable means to attain within the paint and arrange teammates to date, and he needs to be a plus defender along with his instruments. UConn is including one other excessive impression piece to an already loaded group.

Mackenzie Mgbako, F, Duke: Mgbako is a 6’8 ahead from New Jersey with robust shot-making means and a stable if not elite mix of dimension and athleticism for combo ahead. He has a gentle jumper from mid-range and at occasions can get scorching from three. While he’s not a quick-twitch athlete, he can tackle a wide range of matchups defensively and likewise contribute on the glass.

2023 boys McDonald’s All-American Game roster

How to observe the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game

Date: Tuesday, March 28

TV: ESPN and ESPN 2

Girls sport begin: 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2

Boys sport begin: 9 p.m. ET on ESPN

Stream: Watch ESPN

Both video games will likely be performed at Toyota Center in Houston, and could be streamed on Watch ESPN.