Tomorrow night, the United Center– home of the Chicago Bulls will host the 2011 McDonald’s All-American Game, the nation’s premier high school all-star game. The Michael Jordan statue outside the UC is adorned with MJ’s jersey from his appearance in the 1981 game.
In that memorable contest, Jordan dropped 30 points, which ranks second most in game history today. Jordan of course led the team to six NBA titles, but was joined by five other former McDonald’s All-Americans during the Bulls dynasty era.
By Paul M. Banks
Bill Wennington joined Jordan in the 1981 game and was a part of three Bulls title teams (’98, ’97, ’96). Notre Dame grad John Paxson, the starting point guard for the first three title teams played in the ’79 game. Brian Williams (’87) was on the the ’97 championship team, and Keith Booth (’93) was a member of the ’98 squad. So four of the title teams had three former McDonald’s All-Americans, while the other two teams had two.
That’s a very good sign for this year, as the current roster boasts four: Derrick Rose (who met the three local kids playing in this game before the Bulls beat the Bobcats earlier this season), Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Keith Bogans. The Bulls are currently two games ahead of the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat for the #1 seed in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, so expectations for a deep postseason run are extremely high.
When you compare the amount of talent on this year’s roster versus the title teams, expectations get that much higher. (Or as Stacey King screamed “I wanna go HIGHER!”)
Local prospects in the game include Anthony Davis, Branden Dawson, and Wayne Blackshear
Go here for the full roster of this year’s All-American game
Tickets for the game Wednesday night are $10 including parking; broadcast on ESPN 9PM CT
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net , a Midwest webzine. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
He does a regular guest spot each week for Chicagoland Sports Radio.com You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank