Tonight’s NBA contest between the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Bobcats featured three Chicago-area McDonald’s All Americans debuting their official 2011 jerseys at Chicago’s famed United Center alongside 2007 McDonald’s All American and current Bulls guard, Derrick Rose.
Branden Dawson, Wayne Blackshear and Anthony Davis will join forces again at the United Center on March 30 as Boys West squad teammates during the 34th McDonald’s All American Boys Game.
It was a special night for all three local products as they took in a game at “the House that Michael Jordan Built,” on a night when Jordan himself was in attendance (along with his former running mate Scottie Pippen and former Chicago Bears Defensive end/newly crowned NFL Hall of Famer Richard Dent)
“A lot of people don’t get picked for this. It just shows how much all the hard work paid off,” said Blackshear a Louisville commit from Morgan Park high school, located on the southwest side of the city.
Davis, a 6-9 forward who will take his talents to Kentucky next year, is also excited about playing in front of his hometown fans.
“The opportunity to play in one of the biggest high school games in the country, to be selected, just to be a nominee- is a great honor,” he said.
But perhaps Dawson, who will play his college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans next winter, summed it up best.
“A dream come true, every kid’s dream and a great opportunity,” he said of his United Center visit.
The last time the McDonald’s All-American game was played in Chicago, the West (led by hometown stars and future Illini Efrem Winters and Bruce Douglas, the latter of which was on hand for this pre-game ceremony tonight) prevailed 103-84 over an East team led by Benoit Benjamin and Brad Daugherty.
For more photos from tonight’s event please visit here
For the full McDonald’s All-American roster go here
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