Last night, the McDonald’s All-American Committee announced their rosters for the 2017 McDonald’s All American Boys and Girls games and predictably the announcement was met with a flurry of criticism regarding the omissions to the rosters.

Dinos Trigonis, well respected west-coast club program operator and owner of the Pangos All-American Camp noted that Los Angeles was left out of this year’s boys game despite “the worthy resumes of Ethan Thompson, Cody Riley, Jemarl Baker and Geo Ball”.

The reality is that the process of this as well as many of the current awards presented in basketball is flawed and is in need of revision.

From the origins of the McDonalds game, this committee has been made up of event operators that see hoards of players within their events. My former partner, Howard Garfinkel, who pioneered the scouting service industry, often would explain to prospects that the only way that he could qualify their McDonald’s worthiness is by seeing them at his events.

This often has become the blueprint of those who have McDonald’s votes to inject talent into their events or hold it against those who choose not to attend. Often other events compensate by hiring those with votes to act in some capacity to provide an illusion of influence to compel talent to attend and more so by securing such talent, they command dollars of all those trying to measure up.

There are three changes that would enhance the Selection Process:

1) Remove Conflicts of Interest From the Committee

Without question, the awards process would be best served by journalists who are removed from this equation. Those journalists who cover all events without receiving compensation by event operators and who do not hold their own events.

2) Create a Portal for All Prospects to be Viewed

While it may be difficult to see every player in person, it is possible through FloSports and other streaming providers to see video on the prospects. I am sure every coach would be more than happy to upload video or provide access to their nominee being viewed by a complete process. This would eliminate inherent geographic bias that exists based on proximity to the voters.

3) Once and for all, end the ban on fifth-year players or at minimum – come up with clear criteria regarding eligibility to the games, that is transparent to all regarding players who attend Prep

Eligibility has become too subjective. Gone is the time where a player stayed the course at one school for four years, the committee must adjust to a uniform policy regarding reclassification and school changes.

Missing on the McDonald’s game has not impeded NBA All-Star such as Russell Westbrook or Steph Curry. The goal for those who champion youth sports should be to create the best, impartial system to prestigious awards. McDonald’s should be a shining example of this, currently it is NOT.