5 Most Opportunistic McDonald’s All-Americans 

The 2025 McDonald’s All-American Game will take place in Brooklyn, April 1 (9 pm ET, ESPN) and there are sure to be tons of storylines that come as a result of the game.

Cooper Flagg - Montverde

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Many players are ordained to play in the nation’s most well known high school all-star game. Most of the selections can be accurately predicted months in advance. There will always be a snub or two, it’s part of the process, but not everyone takes advantage of the unique opportunity. Some use the event as a springboard to future success and don’t take for granted to be selected. The five following future NBA players didn’t let the opportunity go to waste and took advantage of the platform the game allows to offer a glimpse of things to come.

1. Casey Jacobsen, 1999, 6-5, Guard

Brose Baskets Bamberg - 2013/14 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Basketball Media day

(Photo by Daniel Loeb/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)

The Back Story:  The high-scoring Glendora (Calif.) standout was the top scorer for Team USA at the 1998 World Youth Games in Moscow, Russia and chose to play in that event paver ttending the big summer camps at the time, the Nike All-American Camp or Adidas ABCD Camp. When the team was announced in February of 1999, he was shockingly left off the team even though he was clearly one of the nation’s best players. The chairman of the selection committee at the time, the late Morgan Wootten, was bombarded with local support from many in the Glendora community. Four days later, Jacobsen was rightfully added to the team.

Stat Line: In the game played in Ames Iowa, the Stanford recruit scored 22 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field to help the West defeat the East, 141-128.

The Lesson: There wasn’t tons of instant video back then of players, so if talented players missed certain key events they could easily be overlooked. Jacobsen was a deserving All-American who went on to play in the NBA, but if he didn’t get the support of his community he might not have been added to the original list. It goes to show it pays off to have good character so it’s easier for others to vouch for your abilities.

2. Shaquille O’Neal, 1989, 6-11 Center

Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O'Neal Portrait

(Photo by Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

The Back Story: This Army Brat who moved around as a youngster settled in at Cole (San Antonio, Texas) and was a late bloomer. He was unknown nationally until the Houston Shootout following his junior season of high school and then had a growth spurt where he went from about 6-foot-7 to 6-foot-11. At the BCI Tournament in Arizona in the summer of 1988, it was clear Shaq was special and after a few events was rated at worst the No. 2 prospect nationally behind New York City point guard legend Kenny Anderson. O’Neal was a heck of a prospect and one who didn’t turn 17 until January of his senior season at Cole.

Stat Line: At Kemper Arena in Kansas City, O’Neal had a national coming out party with 18 points, 16 rebounds and six blocked shots to lead the West to a 112-103 victory. Shaq showed dominance and a level of skill rarely seen in a player of his size, along with his trademark charisma.

The Lesson: You just never know how or when a great player will emerge and when he’ll have his coming-out party. Tons of college coaches wanted O’Neal’s services, but they were late to that party. Then LSU coach Dale Brown met Shaq at a coaching clinic and thought the 14-year old served in the military himself because of his size. At LSU, O’Neal immediately showcased the talent that eventually made him the No. 1 pick of the 1992 NBA Draft and an NBA superstar.

3. Michael Jordan, 1981, 6-4 Guard

Michael Jordan - Chicago Bulls File Photos

(Photo by Tom Berg/WireImage)

The Back Story: The skinny kid from Wilmington, N.C. was mysteriously not listed among the top 500 seniors in the preseason by Street & Smith’s, in the fall of 1980 when it was the bible of basketball previews. He was overlooked before the legendary Five-Star Camp commenced that summer, but turned everyone’s eyes with his performances. Still, as good as Jordan was, he wasn’t named 1981 North Carolina State Player of the Year, as that honor went to his future Tar Heel teammate Buzz Peterson. Jordan had a great senior year and was named a McDonald’s All-American and also played in the Capital Classic game in Washington, D.C.

Stat Line: In the fourth annual game played in Wichita, MJ hit both ends of a one-and-one situation to clinch the East’s 96-95 victory. Jordan scored 30 points, including 4-of-4 from the line and 13-of-19 from the field, and came up with six steals.

The Lesson: Great players, and great competitors use incidents and slights to motivate themselves to get better. Jordan just kept getting better each year and the McDonald’s All-American Game performance served notice that he was a great young talent. Ironically, he didn’t win game MVP honors. It was just more fuel to the fire for MJ entering North Carolina and he kept working on his game (and also grew two inches).

4. Sam Perkins, 1980, 6-9 Forward

Los Angeles Lakers v Washington Bullets

(Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

The Back Story: This long, lanky kid from Brooklyn eventually moved to upstate New York to live with his guardian and attend Shaker (Latham, N.Y.). Perkins was a relative unknown until late in the recruiting process and after a USA Basketball event he got an invite to, all the heavyweight programs jumped in. Perkins liked Marquette, almost chose UCLA, but eventually chose North Carolina, where he teamed up with James Worthy and Michael Jordan to win the 1982 NCAA title. Because he moved around and didn’t attend Five-Star Camp, Perkins initially wasn’t chosen for the prestigious game, but was the game’s first late addition that wasn’t injury related.

Stat Line: In a game played in Oakland, Calif., Perkins had 12 points and a game-record 24 rebounds. He and East star Earl Jones didn’t shoot well from the field and the West won, 135-111.

The Lesson: When opportunity came, Perkins took care of business in school and made the most of his opportunity in the McDonald’s Game. Luckily, he had a mentor that loved basketball (and North Carolina), but many kids that get good advice and good help at their disposal don’t always take advantage. Perkins did and went on to play 17 years in the NBA.

5. Aaron Gordon, 2013, 6-8 Forward

Denver Nuggets v Minnesota Timberwolves - Game Three

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The Back Story: The storyline heading into the 2013 game in Chicago was the battle between Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, hailed at the time as the two best prospects in years and potentially generational type talents. Parker was on the cover of Sports Illustrated (when it sort of still mattered) and Wiggins was being hailed as Canada’s brightest star. Gordon was certainly good, in fact he was a two-time California Mr. Basketball, but he took a back seat nationally to that duo.

Stat Line: A day after announcing for the University of Arizona, the Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) star put on a show with 24 points, including nine dunks, and eight rebounds to earn game MVP honors for the winning West club (110-99)

The Lesson: When you stay humble and work hard to get better, you’ll eventually get rewarded. Gordon was young for his class, but always had the inner-drive to improve his game. He’s now a NBA World Champion and someone Mitty, Arizona and Denver Nuggets fans can be proud of.

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