New York-New Jersey boasts top nominees for McDonald’s All-American-Game

By ADAM ZAGORIA

Bryan Antoine (Villanova), Khalif Battle (Butler), Dashawn Davis (Seton Hall), Al-Amir Dawes (Clemson), Joe Girard (Syracuse) Aidan Igiehon (Louisville), Alex Klatsky (Florida), Scottie Lewis (Florida), Josh Pierre-Louis (UNLV) and Kahlil Whitney (Kentucky) highlight the New York/New Jersey nominees for the 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game.

New Jersey powers Ranney School and Roselle Catholic each have three nominees. Antoine, Klatsky and Lewis all play for Ranney, while Pierre-Louis, Whitney and Colby Rogers attend RC.

The nominees were announced Wednesday, and the full team list will be released on Jan. 24.

The game is set for March 27, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

“We are very happy for Kahlil, Josh and Colby to have been nominated for the McDonald’s Game,” Roselle Catholic coach Dave Boff said. “It’s a tremendous honor for them and our program.”

Former RC stars Naz Reid and Isaiah Briscoe both played in the game.

Sweet dunk here from @KentuckyMBB commit @KahlilWhitney of @rc_basketball pic.twitter.com/Al1ErETVCE

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) January 13, 2019

Five players from the Team Rio National Under Armour team were nominated, Antoine, Lewis, Igiehon, Klatsky and UConn-bound guard Jalen Gaffney of the Westtown School (PA).

“The best part of grassroots basketball is to see the daily development and improvement of these student-athletes,” Team Rio and former Rutgers coach Mike Rice said. “It’s astounding to think back when they were in eighth grade to where they are now. And the one common characteristic that each one has is that they aren’t afraid to make themselves uncomfortable with there work ethic.”

Among other nominees with local ties are Precious Achiuwa, who transferred from St. Benedict’s Prep to Montverde (FL) Academy.

Ranney, Roselle Catholic and Montverde will all be at the Hoophall Classic this weekend.

In total, eight schools from New York and New Jersey will be at the Hoophall: Ranney, Roselle Catholic, Ramapo and The Patrick School from New Jersey, and Christ the King, Our Savior New American, Iona Prep and Long Island Lutheran from New York.

Here’s the ESPN TV schedule for the ⁦@HoophallClassic⁩ this weekend. Lots of NY and NJ teams on hand. pic.twitter.com/I49u3oJYZE

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) January 16, 2019

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