For the past 11 years the selection as a McDonald’s All-American has served as the benchmark of individual achievement for scholastic basketball players. The group selected this season as participants in the April 3rd game in Chicago more than upholds the standard set by predecessors like the WNBA’s Cadace Parker and Maya Moore or current colligate standouts Skylar Diggins and Chiney Ogwumike.
The members of the 12th annual McDonald’s All-American Team represent 14 different states and include 14 players with USA Basketball experience. California wins the geographic battle with four selections while Florida, Georgia and Oregon all produced three. Keeping conference realignment in mind, the ACC will enjoy the services of 10 of this year’s McDonald’s participants while the SEC will see seven in uniform next season. Duke and North Carolina lead the way with three selections each joining their rosters followed by Kentucky, Notre Dame, Stanford and Tennessee each with two coming their way. Iesha Small of Tallahassee, Florida is the only uncommitted member of the 2013 squad.
It’s worth recognizing two members of the 2013 class sidelined with injuries this season that assuredly would have received serious consideration for McDonald’s accolades without their ACL detours. Jannah Tucker, ranked fourth nationally by Blue Star, is a 6-0 guard headed to Knoxville and the Lady Vols next season. Another guard, 5-10 Allisha Gray, will take her number ten Blue Star national ranking to North Carolina next year. Tucker calls Randallstown, Maryland home while Gray is a native of Sandersville, Georgia.
Here are the specifics on each selectee as well as a “one-liner” to offer just a bit of insight on the members of the 2013 McDonald’s All-American team. Be sure to tune in April 3rd to catch all the action from the United Center on ESPNU and check out the post-game coverage on Blue Star Media at www.bluestarmedia.org.
Diamond DeShields – 6-2 – Wing – Buford, Georgia – North Carolina – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 1
The whole package of skills, size and explosive athleticism combine to make DeShields an impact player at both ends from the moment she walks on campus.
Mercedes Russell – 6-5 – Post – Springfield, Oregon – Tennessee – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 2
An elite combination of size, skills and instincts makes Russell a rare and valuable commodity on the colligate level and beyond.
Kaela Davis – 6-2 – Guard – Norcross, Georgia – Georgia Tech – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 3
Length, individual skills and the ability to defend anywhere on the floor will make her a keystone in any scheme the Yellow Jackets will throw at opponents the next four years.
Taya Reimer – 6-2 – Forward – Indianapolis, Indiana – Notre Dame – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 5
The epitome of versatility goes with size, strength and a top tier work ethic to make her an ideal fit for the Irish.
Rebecca Greenwell – 6-1 – Guard – Owensboro, Kentucky – Duke – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 6
Size, a textbook offensive arsenal and a continually evolving skill set make her the impact player to appreciate today and to be excited about even more down the road.
Stephanie Mavunga – 6-2 – Forward – Brownsburg, Indiana – North Carolina – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 7
An impact presence anytime she’s on the floor, Mavunga can work from the high post or on the block while having no reservations about mixing things up.
Linnae Harper – 5-6 – Guard – Chicago, Illinois – Kentucky – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 8
Inch for inch arguably the most talented, productive and relentless player at any position in the class.
Kendall Cooper – 6-3 – Post – Carson, California – Duke – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 9
Cooper has the size, build, strength and agility that defines the ideal post and her consistent advancement of skills over the past four years tells you that the best is yet to come.
Iesha Small – 6-0 – Guard – Tallahassee, Florida – Uncommitted – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 11
Dynamic guard with depth and maturity to her game that should allow her to make a difference from day one no matter where she ultimately decides to go.
Tyler Scaife – 5-8 – Point Guard – Little Rock, Arkansas – Rutgers – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 12
Talented and creative with the ball in her hands while possessing the ability to score it herself or improve the opportunities of her teammates.
Erica McCall – 6-3 – Forward – Bakersfield, California – Stanford – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 14
A “true” forward who can call on ballhandling and a great first step from the perimeter or go down low and exploit her size in a mismatch on the block.
Lexie Brown – 5-9 – Point Guard – Suwanee, Georgia – Maryland – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 15
Brings an attack to the point with her ability to create using a both a change of speed and change of direction that also provides the room to use a smooth jumper.
Kailee Johnson – 6-3 – Forward – Portland, Oregon – Stanford – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 16
Skilled and productive at the forward spot, Johnson has an impressive understanding of the game and is an ideal fit for the Cardinal.
Alaina Coates – 6-4 – Post – Irmo, South Carolina – South Carolina – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 18
Size, build and potential come to mind with this true low post presence and her SEC future with the Gamecocks.
Jessica Washington – 5-7 – Point Guard – Tulsa, Oklahoma – North Carolina – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 19
Smooth and instinctual point guard who can create both shots and passes with her penetration while keeping defenders honest with her jumper.
Lindsay Allen – 5-8 – Point Guard – Mitchellville, Maryland – Notre Dame – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 20
An elite player who avoided the “plateau” curse and steadily advanced her game over the years in both skill depth and court concepts.
Makayla Epps – 5-10 – Point Guard – Lebanon, Kentucky – Kentucky – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 21
Physically strong and mature point guard who can claim the ultimate compliment in that she makes the players around her better.
Kai James – 6-3 – Post – Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – Florida State – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 23
Size, frame and power give this future Seminole all the potential she chooses to take advantage of when she walks on campus next fall.
Oderah Chidom – 6-3 – Forward – Oakland, California – Duke – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 25
Long, athletic and with the basketball and athletic skills to play baseline to baseline, Chidom is just scratching the surface of her own potential.
Ronni Williams – 6-2 – Forward – Daytona Beach, Florida – Florida – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 26
Wiry and lean build goes with impressive athleticism to make her a creative presence on the wing or from the forward spot.
Kelsey Plum – 5-9 – Combo Guard – Poway, California – Washington – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 33
From tip to buzzer this textbook guard plays with the skills and intensity that will serve her well in the Pac-12.
Rebekah Dahlman – 5-9 – Combo – Braham, Minnesota – Vanderbilt – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 40
Brings a depth of skills and intelligence that make her a threat from the point or the wing as well as with or without the ball in her hands.
Nia Coffey – 6-1 – Wing/Forward – Minneapolis, Minnesota – Northwestern – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 45
Constantly advancing her game, Coffey is beginning to find effectiveness away from the rim to combine with her ability to slash through traffic off the drive.
Jordan Reynolds – 5-11 Guard – Portland, Oregon – Tennessee – Blue Star Basketball National Rank # 53
Dynamic and under ranked athlete whose active and aggressive attack creates options for both herself and her teammates
