McDonald’s Reveals Nominees for 2018 All American Games

McDonald’s is investing in the future nominating more than 700 high school basketball players now eligible to make final rosters, to be announced Jan. 16

OAK BROOK, Ill., Jan. 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, McDonald’s unveiled the list of high school seniors nominated for the chance to play in the 41^st annual McDonald’s All American Games. The list, comprised of more than 700 top male and female basketball players from across the country, will be used by the Games’ Selection Committee to identify the top 24 boys and 24 girls to play in the annual event. The teams will play March 28^th at Philips Arena in Atlanta, marking the third time the city will host the Games (1992, 1983) with proceeds again benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®).

This year, players from 45 states and the District of Columbia were nominated by their high school coaches, athletic directors, principals and members of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee. High school players from Texas received the most nominations (89), followed by California (48) and Florida (40).  

“The 41^st McDonald’s All American Games nominees list represents the most talented boys and girls in high school basketball, not only within their communities but representing the best in the country,” said Morgan Wooten, Hall-of-Fame basketball coach and McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee Chairman. “There has always been a strong basketball fan base in Atlanta and returning for this year’s Games brings a new energy for our athletes as they look to the future.”

For more than 40 years, McDonald’s has invested in the future of basketball and local communities through the All American Games. Each year McDonald’s ensures students have the necessary resources to succeed in college and beyond by providing scholarships and hosting student leadership summits and education workshops.

The final rosters for the 2018 McDonald’s All American Games will be unveiled on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Follow @McDAAG on Twitter and Instagram for more details on the timing of the announcement.

The 17th Annual McDonald’s All American Girls Game will tip off at 5 p.m. EST Wednesday, March 28 and will air live on ESPN2. The 41^st Annual Boys Game immediately follows at 7 p.m. EST and will air live on ESPN.

2018 McDonald’s All American Games Tickets
Tickets for the 2018 McDonald’s All American Games will go on sale in the coming weeks via Ticketmaster or the Philips Arena box office. Ticket on-sale details will be shared via the McDonald’s All American Games social channels at a later date.

Games week will kick-off on Sunday, March 25 with a free Fan Fest at Atlanta’s Atlantic Station (1380 Atlantic Drive) from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. EST. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a day of live entertainment, basketball themed activities, McDonald’s food, and learn about the All American Games.

McDonald’s All American Games will again benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC^®) through its network of local Chapters. At RMHC, programs like the Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room provide comfort and compassion to families with sick children so they are fully supported and able to be a part of their children’s care. This year’s All American Games will benefit Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities which has served more than 50,000 families since 1979. Proceeds will support the operations of Atlanta’s two Ronald McDonald Houses, Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®.

@McDAAG
Get in the Game by following the McDonald’s All American Games on Twitter and Instagram. Follow @McDAAG to receive up-to-date information and a behind-the-scenes look at the 2018 Games, including key announcements, local player/coach recognitions, fan giveaways and historical Games facts and figures.

About McDonald’s USA
McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 25 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities®
Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®), is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation that creates, finds, and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Through its global network of nearly 290 Chapters in more than 64 countries and regions, and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House®, the Ronald McDonald Family Room® and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, RMHC helps families with sick children stay together, and close to the medical care their child needs at leading hospitals worldwide. RMHC programs not only provide access to quality health care, they enable family-centered care ensuring families are fully supported and actively involved in their children’s care. For more information, visit rmhc.org.

© 2018 McDonald’s 
All trademarks and/or registered marks are owned by their respective companies

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
                    Steven Hunter, McDonald’s USA
                    steven.hunter@us.mcd.com 
                    317-910-2223
                    
                    Kate Mulcahey, Golin
                    kmulcahey@golin.com 
                    312-729-4332