The 10th anniversary of the McDonald’s All American Girls Basketball Game is set to take place March 30, 2011. Since the first McDonald’s All American Girls Game took place in 2002 at Madison Square Garden, 216 of the country’s most promising female athletes have played in prep basketball’s most prestigious event. Current and future greats include Seimone Augustus (2002), Ann Strother (2002 Game Co-MVP), Sylvia Fowles (2004), Candace Parker (2004), Courtney Paris (2005 Game MVP), Tina Charles (2006 Game MVP) and Maya Moore (2007). More importantly, the girls’ participation in the Game has helped children and families in need all across the country, since every year, proceeds from the McDonald’s All American Games benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.
On February 10, McDonald’s will announce the 2011 final roster of 24 Girls (12 East and 12 West players) during the annual Selection Show on ESPNU, airing at 4:30 p.m. CT. Then on game day, tip-off begins at 6:30 CT at the United Center in Chicago and will air live on ESPNU. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.
McDonald’s All American Girls Game Facts:
- Since 2002, UConn (17) and Tennessee (17) remain tied for most McDonald’s All American Girls recruited – Duke (13), Maryland (12), Rutgers (12), UNC (11), and Stanford (11) are close behind.
- Since 2003 (the first NCAA class with female McDonald’s All Americans), every NCAA national champion has had at least four McDonald’s All Americans on the roster, except Baylor’s 2005 squad that had none.
- In 2004, Candace Parker shocked the nation when she became the first and only female to win the slam-dunk competition at the POWERADE Jam Fest, two nights before the McDonald’s All American Girls Game.
- Former Lady Vol, Alexis Hornbuckle, holds the all-time points record with 22 in the 2004 Girls Game; Meighan Simmons had 21 in 2010; and 2002 standouts Ann Strother and Shanna Zolman both scored 21.
- More than half (61) of the 120 female McDonald’s All Americans from 2002-2006 played (or currently play) in the WNBA. All 216 players attended (or attend) NCAA programs as student-athletes.