The 2023 McDonald’s All-American game, which featured some of the greatest high school basketball players in the country, was played on March 28th at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. It was the 46th edition of the event, which commenced in 1977 and has been played annually every single year since.
While more than 700 high school basketball players were considered for the game, only 24 were chosen to compete. They were split up into two teams of 12 – an East Team and a West Team – and were announced on January 24th. The game was televised on ESPN and generated a lot of buzz this year.
The East Team walked away with a 109-106 win, despite being down 60-51 at the end of the first half. The East was led by D.J. Wagner, who had 19 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in the win. The West was led by Isaiah Collier, who had 25 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.
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2023 McDonald’s All-American Game Rosters
The 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game rosters were headlined by Bronny James – not because he was the best player in the pool, but because he’s the son of legendary NBA player LeBron James. That’s not to say Bronny can’t play, but he’s currently ranked 28th in the ESPN 100 recruiting database.
Of the 24 players who made the roster, Bronny was the only one who hasn’t committed to a college team – there was also one player who decided to forego college and enter the G-League (Matas Buzelis). The 22 other McDonald’s All-American players represented a total of 15 colleges – some more than once.
All in all, the University of Kentucky was the most represented school with four players. Duke University had three players, while Michigan State University and the University of Oregon were the only other schools with multiple players in the game. With that said, let’s take a look at how the rosters looked!
East Team
12. PF Kwame Evans Jr.
Kwame Evans is a 6-foot-9, 200-pound power forward who played high school ball at Montverde Academy in Baltimore, Maryland. He’s a five-star recruit that’s listed at No. 13 in ESPN’s recruiting database – he committed to the University of Oregon. He finished with 5 points and 3 rebounds in just over 13 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 1-3 from the field.
11. C Aaron Bradshaw
Aaron Bradshaw is a 7-foot-0, 215-pound center who played high school ball at Camden High School in Camden, New Jersey. He’s a five-star recruit that’s currently listed at No. 4 in ESPN’s recruiting database – he’s committed to the University of Kentucky. He finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 steal in just over 20 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 4-9 from the field.
10. SF Justin Edwards
Justin Edwards is a 6-foot-7, 190-pound small forward who played high school ball at Imhotep Institute Charter High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He’s a five-star recruit who’s listed at No. 1 in ESPN’s recruiting database – he’s committed to the University of Kentucky. He finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 5-9 from the field.
9. G Stephon Castle
Stephon Castle is a 6-foot-6, 190-pound point guard who played high school ball at Newton High School in Covington, Georgia. He’s a five-star recruit who’s listed at No. 15 in ESPN’s recruiting database – he’s committed to play at the University of Connecticut. He finished with 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals in 13 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 5-6 from the field.
8. PG Elmarko Jackson
Elmarko Jackson is a 6-foot-3, 185-pound point guard who played high school ball at South Kent High School in South Kent, Connecticut. He’s a four-star recruit who’s listed at No. 22 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at the University of Kansas. He finished with 7 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in 18 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 3-6 from the field.
7. SF Cody Williams
Cody Williams is a 6-foot-8, 175-pound small forward who played high school ball at Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona. He’s a five-star recruit who’s currently listed at No. 6 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at the University of Colorado. He finished with 8 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block in 16 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 2-6 from the field.
6. G Aden Holloway
Aden Holloway is a 6-foot-1, 165-pound point guard who played high school ball at Prolific Prep in Charlotte, North Carolina. He’s a five-star recruit who’s listed at No. 17 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at Auburn University. He finished with 15 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals in just over 14 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 4-7 from the field.
5. PF Sean Stewart
Sean Stewart is a 6-foot-8, 230-pound power forward who played high school ball at Montverde Academy in Windermere, Florida. He’s a five-star recruit who’s listed at No. 16 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at Duke University. He finished with 6 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block in 18 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 3-8 from the field.
4. SF Matas Buzelis
Matas Buzelis is a 6-foot-9, 195-pound small forward who played high school ball at Sunrise Christian Academy in Hinsdale, Illinois. He’s a five-star recruit who’s listed at No. 9 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play for the Ignite in the NBA G-League. He finished with 4 points and 3 rebounds in just over 13 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 2-2 from the field.
3. G D.J. Wagner Jr.
D.J. Wagner is a 6-foot-2, 175-pound point guard who played high school ball at Camden High School in Camden, New Jersey. He’s a five-star recruit who’s listed at No. 2 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at the University of Kentucky. He finished with 19 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks in 22 minutes – he shot 7-14 from the field – and was named MVP of the East Team.
2. SF Mackenzie Mgbako
Mackenzie Mgbako is a 6-foot-8, 195-pound power forward who played high school ball at Roselle Catholic High School in Newark, New Jersey. He’s a five-star recruit who’s listed at No. 8 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at Duke University. He finished with 0 points and 2 rebounds in 14 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot just 0-2 from the field.
1. C Xavier Booker
Xavier Booker is a 6-foot-10, 210-pound center who played high school ball at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He’s a five-star recruit who’s currently listed at No. 7 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at Michigan State University. He finished with 3 points and 3 rebounds in nearly 5 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot just 1-3 from the field.
West Team
12. PF Omaha Biliew
Omaha Biliew is a 6-foot-9, 210-pound power forward who played high school ball at Waukee High School in Waukee, Iowa. He’s a five-star recruit who’s currently listed at No. 10 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at Iowa State University. He finished with 7 points and 2 assists in just over 15 minutes of action in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 3-4 from the field.
11. PF Ron Holland
Ron Holland is a 6-foot-8, 200-pound power forward who played high school ball at Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas. He’s a five-star recruit who’s listed at No. 5 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at the University of Texas. He had 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks in 22 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 5-8 from the field.
10. SF Andrej Stojakovic
Andrej Stojakovic is a 6-foot-7, 185-pound small forward who played high school ball at Jesuit High School in Carmichael, California. He’s a four-star recruit who’s currently listed at No. 23 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at Stanford University. He finished with 5 points and 1 steal, in just over 13 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 2 of 6 from the field.
9. SF Mookie Cook
Mookie Cook is a 6-foot-7, 210-pound small forward who played high school ball at AZ Compass Prep in Portland, Oregon. He’s a four-star recruit who’s currently listed at No. 18 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at the University of Oregon. He finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in just under 14 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 4-6 from the field.
8. PG Isaiah Collier
Isaiah Collier is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound point guard who played high school ball at Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia. He’s a five-star recruit who’s listed at No. 3 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at the University of Southern California (USC). He had 25 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in 22 minutes in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game and was MVP of the West Team.
7. G Bronny James
Bronny James is a 6-foot-3, 180-pound point guard who played high school ball at Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles, California. He’s a four-star recruit who’s listed at No. 28 in ESPN’s recruiting database, but hasn’t committed to play anywhere yet. He finished with 15 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, and 2 steals in 20 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 5-10 from the field.
6. C Brandon Garrison
Brandon Garrison is a 6-foot-9, 205-pound center who played high school ball at Del City High School in Del City, Oklahoma. He’s a four-star recruit who’s listed at No. 30 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at Oklahoma State University. He finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block in 20 minutes played in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 5-5 from the field.
5. PG Jeremy Fears
Jeremy Fears is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound point guard who played high school ball at Joliet West High School in Joliet, Illinois. He’s a four-star recruit who’s currently listed at No. 20 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at Michigan State University. He finished with 0 points, 1 rebound, and 4 assists in 14 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 0-5 from the field.
4. SG Ja’Kobe Walter
Ja’Kobe Walter is a 6-foot-5, 185-pound shooting guard who played high school ball at Link Academy in McKinney, Texas. He’s a five-star recruit who’s currently listed at No. 14 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at Baylor University. He finished with 10 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assists in just over 14 minutes of play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 4-6 from the field.
3. G Reed Sheppard
Reed Sheppard is a 6-foot-2, 175-pound shooting guard who played high school ball at North Laurel High School in London, Kentucky. He’s a four-star recruit who’s listed at No. 21 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at the University of Kentucky. He finished with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in just under 13 minutes in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game – he shot 2-3 from the field.
2. C Baye Fall
Baye Fall is a 6-foot-11, 217-pound center who played high school ball at Accelerated Schools in Denver, Colorado. He’s a four-star recruit who’s currently listed at No. 19 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at the University of Arkansas. He finished the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game with 2 points and 4 rebounds in 13 minutes – shooting 0-1 from the field and 2-4 from the charity stripe.
1. SG Jared McCain
Jared McCain is a 6-foot-3, 195-pound shooting guard who played high school ball at Centennial High School in Corona, California. He’s a five-star recruit who’s listed at No. 12 in ESPN’s recruiting database and is committed to play at Duke University. He finished the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game with 9 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in just over 19 minutes of play – he shot 4 of 10 from the field.
History of the McDonald’s All-American Game
The McDonald’s All-American game is one of the biggest stages for high school basketball players trying to make a name for themselves. It’s a game that has featured some of the greatest basketball players of all-time – including the likes of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kevin Durant.
Others to be featured in the game include Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, James Worthy, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Christian Laettner, Alonzo Mourning, Grant Hill, Chris Webber, Jason Kidd, Paul Pierce, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Derrick Rose.
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Others to be named a McDonald’s All-American, but not attend the actual game include Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Dwight Howard. The real question is – which players in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American game will write their own legacy?
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