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

The 2023 boys McDonald’s All-American Recreation 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 of a star-making occasion because the final probability 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 follow classes, which might be extra significant than the sport itself.

The massive query coming into this yr’s McDonald’s All-American Recreation is the race for the No. 1 total participant. There may be usually a consensus alternative for the very best 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 activities 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 throughout the week?

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

Right here’s an introduction to the 2023 boys McDonald’s All-Individuals.

Who’s No. 1?

Right here’s a have a look at 5 front-runners to be the No. 1 participant within the class (and doubtlessly the primary choose within the 2024 NBA Draft). Every 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 potential for his dimension, and can earn the ‘point-forward’ label as he makes some flashy passes, particularly within the open flooring. Buzelis’s capturing is a query mark at this level: he has an extended, gradual launch, and his highschool percentages have been mediocre at instances. Scouts will get a great 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 presents from faculty basketball’s heavy hitters.

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Ron Holland, F, Texas: Holland has the positional dimension, athleticism, profitable pedigree, and two-way proficiency to matchup with anybody on this class. A 6’8 wing, Holland has super velocity, quickness, and leaping potential that he leverages to attain on the rim on offense and lock down a wide range of assignments defensively. He’s had a profitable influence at each cease, serving to lead Duncanville Excessive Faculty in Texas to a number of state championships whereas additionally profitable two gold medals with USA Basketball over the summers. Scouts will marvel if he has the takeover scoring potential usually related to a No. 1 total 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 of at or close to the highest of this class for his scoring potential 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 difficult shot-making potential. The hope is that John Calipari will put the ball in his palms at Kentucky, and professional scouts will have the ability 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 major possibility. The place his soar shot is at — each off the dribble and on spot-ups — may even be fascinating to observe. Wagner might be the most important identify on this class and may 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 e-book. At 6’3 with broad shoulders and a strong construct, Collier makes use of his dimension and power to run pick-and-roll, maintain defenders “in jail,” and strain the protection along with his passing potential. Whereas he lacks elite athleticism, he can usually bully smaller guards to the basket and continues to refine his ending craft. The massive query is his soar shot: Collier appears strong on his mid-range pull-up, however he’ll must 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 school and NBA ranges.

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Justin Edwards, F, Kentucky: A 6’7 wing out of Philly, Edwards looks like he ought to be an instant-impact producer at Kentucky, partially as a result of he’s older than most of his friends (he’ll flip 20 in Dec. of his freshman yr). The lefty has a clean mid-range pull-up sport that has received him loads of followers, and he has the dimensions and burst to get downhill, too. If he shoots a great 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.

The place does Bronny James fall in?

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James lastly stepped right into a major possibility 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’ll 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 completely happy to tackle robust defensive assignments, struggle for 50/50 balls, area the ground, and assault the ring in transition. He’s not often put up spectacular scoring numbers or operated at ultra-high utilization throughout his highschool profession, however that’s okay: James profiles because the form of profitable function participant any celebrity would wish to play with for his potential to do the soiled work out on the perimeter. Take a look at our deep dive into James’ sport following his junior season.

Nobody is certain of what James will do after highschool, however most indications are he needs to play faculty basketball quite than pursuing professional choices. USC and UCLA have been talked about as hometown faculties, whereas Oregon is sensible for the Nike connections along with his father. Wherever Bronny goes, he ought to make a profitable influence as an athletic two-way guard even when he isn’t placing up large 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 Metropolis Thunder chosen him at No. 12 total following a standout three-year faculty profession at Santa Clara. Faculty evaluators who let Williams slip to the mid-major degree had 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 immediately the fastest-rising prospect in his highschool class.

Cody Williams was ranked round No. 80 in his class after his junior yr at Perry Excessive Faculty in Arizona, in accordance with Rivals. By the point he dedicated to Colorado, he was ranked No. 42 in his class. Now Williams is being projected because the No. 2 total choose ESPN’s early 2024 NBA mock draft.

Williams has a terrific body for a wing at 6’8 with lengthy arms (his brother measured at 6’6 with a 7’2 wingspan). He’s comfy 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 thus far, and will definitely be a giant think about 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 large brother did.

Who else stands out on this class?

Jared McCain, G, Duke: After a standout highschool profession at Los Angeles’ Centennial Excessive, 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 handle the ball whereas additionally flashing connective passing traits and knockdown capturing potential. McCain felt like the very best three-point shooter within the class even earlier than he received the McDonald’s three-point contest.

Omaha Biliew, F, Iowa State: The very best ranked recruit from the state of Iowa since Harrison Barnes, Biliew is a high-motor 6’8 wing who tasks as one of the versatile defenders within the class. He has a terrific body to make a defensive influence with lengthy arms, a robust base, and a few perimeter quickness. SB Nation evaluated Biliew up shut throughout a sport at Waukee Excessive Faculty, and his three-point shot seemed higher than marketed. Whereas he could not have a brilliant deep scoring bag but, Biliew matches into virtually any lineup along with his dimension, effort, and defensive potential so long as his spot-up jumpers are falling.

Aaron Bradshaw, C, Kentucky: Tremendous 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 exhibiting rim safety expertise. Offensively, he shoots a great ball with spectacular vary, however could accept jumpers slightly an excessive amount of. This can be a new-school large man who’s simply scratching the floor of his long-term potential.

Stephon Citadel, G, UConn: Citadel is big for a guard at 6’6 and perhaps even greater. He’s extra comfy taking part in 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 skin. He’s proven a powerful potential to attain within the paint and arrange teammates to this point, and he ought to be a plus defender along with his instruments. UConn is including one other excessive influence piece to an already loaded crew.

Mackenzie Mgbako, F, Duke: Mgbako is a 6’8 ahead from New Jersey with robust shot-making potential and a strong if not elite mix of dimension and athleticism for combo ahead. He has a mushy jumper from mid-range and at instances can get sizzling from three. Whereas 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 Recreation roster

How one can watch the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Recreation

Date: Tuesday, March 28

TV: ESPN and ESPN 2

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

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

Stream: Watch ESPN

Each video games might be performed at Toyota Heart in Houston, and might be streamed on Watch ESPN.