Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Gilchrist Leads East to Victory in McDonald’s Game
Michael Gilchrist ended his St. Patrick career with a disappointing loss to St. Anthony in the unofficial high school national championship.
But the Kentucky-bound senior wing rebounded with a win in the McDonald’s All-American Game.
The 6-foot-7 Gilchrist tallied 16 points, 12 rebounds and four assists and Florida signee Brad Beal of Chaminade (St. Louis) added 17 points and four assists to lead the East team to a 111-96 win over the West before a sellout crowd of 20,019 at Chicago’s United Center.
It was largest crowd in the 34-year history of the game. The largest previous total was 18,728 in 2003 at Cleveland’s Gund Arena when LeBron James played.
Gilchrist and North Carolina signee James McAdoo of Norfolk (Va.), who added 17 points, were named Co-MVPs.
McAdoo, the nephew of former NBA MVP Bob McAdoo, competed before the largest crowd he had ever played before.
“That was at [East Carolina] when I played against Reggie Bullock [as a junior],” McAdoo said, according to USA Today. “That prepared me a little bit. When I first came out tonight, I had the jitters a little bit, but as the game went on, I got into the flow of the game.”
Mount Vernon coach Bob Cimmino, who on Sunday won his fourth career New York State Federation ‘AA’ championship before flying to Chicago, had said Tuesday he was surprised by Gilchrist’s leadership abilities.
“I would say two things surprised me,” Cimmino said, according to USA Today. “One, Michael Gilchrist’s leadership. I knew him as a great player. I didn’t know him as a leader and Brad Beal seems to be one of those guys who will play better for you once the lights come on.”
Another Kentucky commit, Anthony Davis of Perspectives Charter (Chicago), led the West with 14 points, six rebounds, four blocks and two steals.
“I had to represent Chicago,” Davis said, according to USA Today.
Duke-bound Austin Rivers finished with 14 points for the West. He played in front of his father, Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who was a McDonald’s All-American in 1980.
“I don’t like losing, point blank,” Austin Rivers said. “I’m just lost. That’s how I am. I’m competitive. They outhustled on defense and offense. It’s frustrating.”
Wayne Blackshear played despite injuring his left shoulder in practice. The Louisville recruit and Chicago Public League star scored two points.
(The AP contributed; photo courtesy McDonald’s)
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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle.
A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013.
He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.
Michael Gilchrist ended his St. Patrick career with a disappointing loss to St. Anthony in the unofficial high school national championship.
But the Kentucky-bound senior wing rebounded with a win in the McDonald’s All-American Game.
The 6-foot-7 Gilchrist tallied 16 points, 12 rebounds and four assists and Florida signee Brad Beal of Chaminade (St. Louis) added 17 points and four assists to lead the East team to a 111-96 win over the West before a sellout crowd of 20,019 at Chicago’s United Center.
It was largest crowd in the 34-year history of the game. The largest previous total was 18,728 in 2003 at Cleveland’s Gund Arena when LeBron James played.
Gilchrist and North Carolina signee James McAdoo of Norfolk (Va.), who added 17 points, were named Co-MVPs.
McAdoo, the nephew of former NBA MVP Bob McAdoo, competed before the largest crowd he had ever played before.
“That was at [East Carolina] when I played against Reggie Bullock [as a junior],” McAdoo said, according to USA Today. “That prepared me a little bit. When I first came out tonight, I had the jitters a little bit, but as the game went on, I got into the flow of the game.”
Mount Vernon coach Bob Cimmino, who on Sunday won his fourth career New York State Federation ‘AA’ championship before flying to Chicago, had said Tuesday he was surprised by Gilchrist’s leadership abilities.
“I would say two things surprised me,” Cimmino said, according to USA Today. “One, Michael Gilchrist’s leadership. I knew him as a great player. I didn’t know him as a leader and Brad Beal seems to be one of those guys who will play better for you once the lights come on.”
Another Kentucky commit, Anthony Davis of Perspectives Charter (Chicago), led the West with 14 points, six rebounds, four blocks and two steals.
“I had to represent Chicago,” Davis said, according to USA Today.
Duke-bound Austin Rivers finished with 14 points for the West. He played in front of his father, Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who was a McDonald’s All-American in 1980.
“I don’t like losing, point blank,” Austin Rivers said. “I’m just lost. That’s how I am. I’m competitive. They outhustled on defense and offense. It’s frustrating.”
Wayne Blackshear played despite injuring his left shoulder in practice. The Louisville recruit and Chicago Public League star scored two points.
(The AP contributed; photo courtesy McDonald’s)
RELATED CONTENT
**Big Week for Mount Vernon’s Cimmino
