The Future Of The NBA: McDonald’s All Americans1

They may be at least a year removed from playing in the professional league, but last night a majority of the McDonald’s All American players were putting on a show that had NBA scouts salivating over the young men. Doc Rivers’ (Boston Celtics head coach) son, Austin Rivers, was one of the young men who showcased the skills that he will be taking to Duke University in the upcoming season. 

Rivers is the top player in the ESPNU 100 2011 class and one of the most prolific athletes to only be in high school. Duke freshman Kyrie Irving may be leaving the program and even if he does not, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler will not be on the roster to clean up at the basket or create those dynamic plays that we saw them do this season. Rivers will be looked to as a large contributor offensively. He has one of the greatest forms with his jumper, which will only improve under Coach K’s instruction. Austin also made a point to make a tribute to his father during the dunk contest by wearing his old Hawks jersey.

Anthony Davis, Rivers’ McDonald’s All American West teammate, was a huge factor in keeping his team in contention. Just a year and a half ago, Davis was only 6’3 and playing at the point guard position when he shot up about six or seven inches and was moved to play Forward-Center. What makes him so dangerous is that he has the enlarged size to be effective in the paint, but also still retains the guard skills that most would lose going through such a huge change in their game as he did. Davis will need to learn to use his newly acquired body size more, but that will only rise through time and experience. Look for him to do big things at the next level as he ventures off to Kentucky.

East team players Michael Gilchrist and James McAdoo were the Co-MVPs of the game and earned the mention. Gilchrist was the ranked the number three player in the ESPNU 100 and the number one small forward of the recruiting class. He is also going to Kentucky and with the one and done situation for Coach Calipari, Gilchrist will be able to make more of an impact than an incoming freshman would in the previous years of the game. In the game, he was given the task of guarding Austin Rivers and was very dominate in his position. McAdoo is taking his talents to North Carolina and the players there will love  him, especially if John Henson is entering the draft.

The game was competitive to say the least and it was refreshing to see young players so hungry to prove themselves against the best in the country. With such tough acts to follow from last year, such as Harrison Barnes, Jared Sullinger and Brandon Knight, they lived up to their ranks. Many were expecting it to just be a show or display of acrobatics, but the drive in every player on the court allowed it to be as intense as a championship game. Who knows? A few of them may be playing against each other in one next year.

Video courtesy of Ballislife.com

No related posts.