Cliff Alexander-#11
Height:6’9″ Weight:235
Position: Forward/Center Curie Metro High School,IL
Hometown: Chicago, IL College: Kansas
PPG: 26 RPG: 16 BPG: 5.0
Alexander is a tremendous interior post player who dominates the boards on both ends of the floor. Along with serving as a rebounding force, Alexander is known as an interior defender, blocking shots and denying his opponents ball. With great height and strength, he’s also developed a consistent hook shot and uses that to his advantage when getting the ball in the post. Alexander is one of three Chicago-area players to make the 2014 team and will join forces with West team player Kelly Oubre Jr. at Kansas this fall.
James Blackmon Jr.-#24
Height:6’4″ Weight:180
Position: Guard Marion High School,IN
Hometown: Marion. IN College: Indiana
PPG: 36.5 RPG: 5 APG: 3
Blackmon is a smooth combination guard that can shoot from anywhere on the court whether it’s off a screen, kick outs or pull ups. A good decision maker and controlled player, Blackmon can put points up in a hurry and break a game open when he gets on a roll. Blackmon comes from a great basketball family–his father, James Sr., was a McDonald’s All American in 1983, sharing high-scorer honors for the West squad with 21 points. Blackmon’s skills extend to the classroom where he is a National Honor Society member and a four-year member of the honor roll. He plans to attend Indiana University in the fall.
Justin Jackson-#44
Height:6’8″ Weight:200
Position: Guard/Forward Homeschool Christian, TX
Hometown: Tomball,TX College: North Carolina
PPG: 33 RPG: 11 APG: 4
Jackson has developed a consistent mid-range pull up that goes well with his quickness and ability to ignite a fast break. A very versatile athlete, Jackson can play both the small forward and shooting guard positions. He also uses his height and athleticism to his advantage, easily shooting over defenders. The first-ever home school athlete to be named to the McDonald’s All American Boys Team, Jackson has been a Home school All-American since 2010, and earned the 2013 Jefferson Award given to the best home school player in the country. He’ll team up with fellow McDonald’s All Americans Theo Pinson and Joel Berry II at North Carolina next season.
D’Angelo Russell-#3
Height:6’5″ Weight:190
Position: Guard Montverde Academy, FL
Hometown: Louisville,KY College: Ohio State
PPG: 15.3 RPG: 4 APG: 4
Russell has unlimited range from beyond the arc with the ability to find open teammates when defenders attempt to close out on him. A versatile player on offense, Russell is an adept ball-handler who can play both guard positions. Off the court, Russell volunteers with the Special Olympics. He attends the same high school as 2013 McDonald’s All American Kasey Hill and Dakari Johnson. In the fall, he’ll play under Thad Matta at Ohio State.
Jahlil Okafor – #22
Height: 7’0″ Weight: 270
Position: Center Whitney Young Magnet High School
Hometown: Chicago, IL College: Duke
PPG: 25 RPG: 14 BPG: 3
Okafor has great height and strength, making him a force in the low post. He uses his athleticism to outmatch opponents, with his footwork that allows him to gain positioning and easily grab rebounds on both sides of the floor. He’s a proven defender who can alter opponents’ shots while keeping them out of the lane. Okafor was named the 2014 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year, becoming the second straight Chicago-area player to win the award after Jabari Parker won in 2013. He is one of four McDonald’s All Americans planning to attend Duke in the Fall.
Emmanuel Mudiay-#0
Height:6’5″ Weight:185
Position: Guard Prime Prep Academy, TX
Hometown: Dallas, TX College: Southern Methodist
PPG: 19.5 RPG: 8 APG: 5
Mudiay uses his superior athleticism and quickness to beat opponents, consistently burying shots coming off ball screens. He has great floor vision, using it to distribute the ball to his teammates in transition and in half-court sets. He’s also developed a solid mid-range game and can hit step-back jumpers regularly. Mudiay plans to attend SMU in the fall and will play under head coach, Larry Brown. With his commitment, Mudiay is the school’s second straight McDonald’s All american after 2013 McDonald’s All American, Keith Frazier.
Rashad Vaughn-#20
Height:6’6″ Weight:210
Position: Guard Findlay College Prep, NV
Hometown: Golden Valley, MN College: UNLV
PPG: 20.5 RPG: 5.5 APG: 5.3
Vaughn possesses a great wingspan which helps him sky for rebounds and attack the rim. He has developed superb ball-handling skills which he uses to lead fast breaks and score in transition, Vaughn also sports a high basketball IQ demonstrated in his great decision making on both ends of the floor. He and fellow McDonald’s All American Kelly Oubre Jr. are the eighth and ninth McDonald’s All Americans to hail from Findlay Prep. Vaughn will follow the footsteps of Finlay Prep alum and 2012 McDonald’s All American Anthony Bennett and attend UNLV this fall.
