OAK BROOK, Ill. – The McDonald’s All American® Games and Morgan Wootten, Hall of Fame coach and Selection Committee Chair, named Jabari Parker and Taya Reimer winners of the 2013 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award.
Parker, the 6-foot-8 prep star from Simeon Career Academy in Chicago is the 17th winner of the annual male Morgan Wootten Award. Previous winners include Shabazz Muhammad (2012), Austin Rivers (2011), Kevin Love (2007), Dwight Howard (2004), LeBron James (2003), Jay Williams (1999) and the award’s first recipient, Shane Battier (1997). Parker beat out finalists: Aaron Gordon (Archbishop Mitty – San Jose, Calif.), Aaron Harrison (William B. Travis – Richmond, Texas), Andrew Harrison (William B. Travis – Richmond, Texas), Dakari Johnson (Montverde Academy (Fla.) – New York, N.Y.) and Andrew Wiggins (Huntington Prep (W.Va.) – Thornhill, Ont.).
Reimer, the 6-3 standout from Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.) is the daughter of 1991 McDonald’s All American Ben Davis. The pair makes up the first father/daughter duo in Games history. Reimer is the 12th annual female winner, joining Breanna Stewart (2012), Elizabeth Williams (2011), Maya Moore (2007), Tina Charles (2006), Candace Parker (2004) and Ivory Latta (2003), among others. Reimer takes home the honor over finalists: Lexie Brown (North Gwinnett – Suwanee, Ga.), Kaela Davis (Buford High School – Buford, Ga.), Diamond DeShields (Norcross – Norcross, Ga.), Linnae Harper (Whitney Young – Chicago, Ill.) and Mercedes Russell (Springfield High – Springfield, Ore.).
The Morgan Wootten Award is given annually to the best male and female McDonald’s All American players who exemplify outstanding character, exhibit leadership and embody the values of being a student-athlete in the classroom and the community. McDonald’s established the award in Wootten’s honor to pay tribute to his unprecedented achievements as a teacher and coach. The official award presentation will take place at the McDonald’s All American Games awards banquet on April 2 in Chicago, Ill.
As one of the top-ranked players in the 2013 class, Parker has had a historic high school career. He’s led his team to an unprecedented four straight Illinois State Championships and in 2012 became the first non-senior in Illinois history to earn Mr. Basketball honors. Outside of basketball, Parker is an honor roll student and National Honors Society member. Parker is also an active volunteer with the Chicago Park District and at church functions.
“Being named the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year is very special to me and shows how much hard work, discipline and perseverance can help make dreams come true,” said Parker. “Not only is this honor a reflection of myself, it is a tribute to the people that helped me in my development.”
Like Parker, Reimer is a top-rated player in the 2013 class. The Indiana all-state forward became her high school’s all-time leading scorer in January and won a gold medal as a member of the 2012 USA Women’s U17 World Championship Team last summer. Off the court, Reimer writes for her school newspaper and volunteers as a youth basketball coach and a freshmen mentor.
“It is truly an honor to be named the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year. Coach Wootten is not only known as a winner on the court but also a winner off the court as a mentor to so many people,” said Remier. “To be associated with such a legendary figure in basketball and to join the list of all of the incredible players that have received this award before me is something I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
The 2013 McDonald’s All American Games will again be played at Chicago’s United Center on April 3. The Girls Game begins at 7 p.m. ET, live on ESPNU. The Boys Game will tips at 9:30 ET (ESPN).
