AURORA | Colorado only has just one shot at sending a player to the 2016 boys McDonald’s All American Game, but it is a really good shot.
Overland senior De’Ron Davis, a 6-foot-9 center who has signed with Indiana University, is the lone boys player from the state to earn a nomination on a list released Tuesday by McDonald’s.
The McDonald’s All American Games — for boys and girls — are scheduled for March 30 in Chicago at the United Center, home of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls. The boys game, the 39th all-time, will be broadcast on ESPN at 8 p.m. CT, following the 15th annual girls game at 5:30 p.m. CT. ESPN has televised the all-star games for 19th straight seasons.
According to McDonald’s, this season’s group of 24 boys and 24 girls will be selected from a pool of 755 senior nominees from 49 states and the District of Columbia to play in the games. Nominees came from high school coaches, athletic directors, principals and members of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee, which will pick the rosters.
Rosters will be announced during the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Show on ESPNU, scheduled to air at 8:30 p.m. MT Jan. 17.
“It’s through dedication, hard work and their time off the court giving back to their schools and community that these students are being recognized,” Jay McAvoy, McDonald’s Owner/Operator, said in a press release about Colorado’s nominees. “It’s an honor to have them representing the Denver area in the 2016 McDonald’s All American Games and we wish them the best of luck.”
Going into Tuesday’s night showdown between his 8-0 Overland team and 7-0 Regis Jesuit, Davis has averaged 15.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.0 blocked shots per game in his first seven outings. He is coming off a 20-point performance Dec. 19 in helping the Trailblazers win the championship of the Platinum Division at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas.
Davis’ former teammate, currently University of Wyoming player Austin Conway, received a McDonald’s All-American Game nomination last season.
No Aurora girls made the nomination list, which includes three Colorado players in Blaire Braxton and Symone Starks of Highlands Ranch and Mesa Ridge’s Kylee Shook.
Among the boys all-time McDonald’s All American selections are Earvin “Magic” Johnson (1977), Dominique Wilkins (1979), Michael Jordan (1981), Shaquille O’Neal (1989), Kevin Garnett (1995), Kobe Bryant (1996), Carmelo Anthony (2002), LeBron James (2003), Chris Paul (2003), Kevin Durant (2006), James Harden (2007) and Derrick Rose (2007), in addition to a slew of other players who eventually made it to the NBA.
Full list of boys and girls nominees by state, here.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
2016 COLORADO MCDONALD’S ALL AMERICAN GAME NOMINEES
Boys: DE’RON DAVIS, OVERLAND; Girls: Blaire Braxton, Highlands Ranch; Kylee Shook, Mesa Ridge; Symone Starks, Highlands Ranch
