CHICAGO, Ill.—This weekend 24 athletes will descend on the Windy City from across America for what many consider the ultimate validation of a scholastic career. The 16th annual Girl’s McDonald’s All-American Game is on tap next Wednesday at the United Center featuring some of the top players from the 2017 graduating class. Over the years 360 athletes have been honored with the right to add the Golden Arches to their resume while college programs nationwide live for the opportunity to boast that their incoming signing class includes a McDonald’s All-American.
This year’s line-up once again features athletes from coast to coast. Texas has six representatives while California follows up with four participants. Georgia weighs in with three and the Sunshine State of Florida lays claim to two native daughters. Nine other states have one each to complete the two, 12 member rosters. Collectively, this accomplished group posted a 633 and 117 record across the course of their senior campaigns. Two of those schedules are unblemished and feature undefeated marks while state championship banners from the 2017 season will hang in seven of their home gyms.
Bragging rights among the college programs this time around go to the Lady Vols of Tennessee who have signed four to a National Letter of Intent. Six others have added two selections to their rosters for next season. That list includes Baylor, Connecticut, Louisville, Stanford, Texas and USC. However, with the coaching change at USC, one of their two signees (Destiny Littleton) has reopened her recruitment but is keeping the Women of Troy in the mix. That breakdown of campus destinations ties three conferences with “Super Size” signing classes of six players each. The ACC, Pac-12 and SEC lead the way with their half-dozen while the Big-12 follows next with four. The American conference has two coming their way and the Big-10 will enjoy the addition of the remaining member of this year’s All-American squad.
Since their inception, the McDonald’s games have benefited Ronald McDonald House Charities with contributions in excess of 11 million dollars. A highlight on the schedule will include a Monday visit to Ronald McDonald House by both the boys and girl’s teams. Later that night the annual POWERADE Jam Fest will showcase three point and dunk competitions from the Keating Sports Center at the Illinois Institute of Technology while being broadcast on live on ESPN2. Tuesday is Media Day with the annual reception and banquet to follow in the evening. The games themselves are slated for Wednesday with the girls tipping off at 4 pm on ESPN2 and the boys getting underway on ESPN at 6 p.m. CST.
Below are images of the 24 players selected to compete in this year’s McDonald’s All-American Game. Chosen by position, they represent a large majority of the elite players in the 2017 graduating class. Blue Star Media will be on hand throughout the week for all the action from Chicago.
