Five Standouts from the McDonald's All-American practice sessions
Chicago, Illinois – The 45th annual McDonald’s All-American game will take place on Tuesday. Twenty-four of the best high school seniors will compete on ESPN, decked out in the latest Adidas gear. The game is an achievement, the pinnacle of a high school career, growing up and being thought of among the best.
However, the game is like any other all-star game at every level. Less and less defense is played, and more and more shots are taken. When it comes to player evaluation, the real competition happens during the McDonald’s All-American game practices.
On3 was among 50 NBA personnel on Sunday morning to take in the open practice session. Here are the standouts.
6-8 SG Gradey Dick
Bel Aire (KS) Sunrise Christian
On3 Consensus: No. 15
On3 NIL Valuation: $35,000
Status: Signed with Kansas
Today was as impressive a shooting display as I have seen all season. Gradey Dick may have missed only a handful of shots during the two-and-a-half-hour practice, and he rarely drew rim on his makes. Dick has had a standout season for Sunrise Christian this year, really expanding his game more than just an athlete. Against the highest level competition, this type of shooting has been consistent over the past eight months.
In the age of Duncan Robinson signing max contracts in the NBA, it is obvious to see the value in a player like Gradey Dick.
6-3 CG Cason Wallace
Richardson (TX) High
On3 Consensus: No. 5
On3 NIL Valuation: $25,000
Status: Signed with Kentucky
While Cason Wallace may not be an alpha in the traditional sense, there is no doubt when he steps on the floor everyone knows. Wallace is the guy in the 2022 class who makes plays. You cannot simply pigeonhole him into one single category as he does a bit of everything to help his team win.
Right now, he is most comfortable as an off-ball creator on offense. However, Wallace showed the handle to get into the paint and create in this setting. With his elite ability to defend the point of attack, do not be surprised to see him on the ball, initiating the offense at times next season.
6-8 PF Jarace Walker
Bradenton (FL) IMG Academy
On3 Consensus: No. 9
On3 NIL Valuation: $41,000
Status: Signed with Houston
Jarace Walker has been a man amongst men all season for IMG Academy. In this setting, he was a terror to stop with the ball in his hands. Standing with a strong, broad-shouldered frame, Walker spent the first half of practice getting anything he wanted, at any spot on the floor. He was tough off the bounce, crafty in the paint, and finished with strength.
6-5 SG Anthony Black
Duncanville (TX) High
On3 Consensus: No. 19
On3 NIL Valuation: $26,000
Status: Will announce Monday, March 28 between Arkansas, Gonzaga, TCU, Oklahoma State, or G-League Ignite
It was a slow start for Anthony Black. You could see the talent level, but the shots were not falling, and his drives were not getting anywhere. Once the five-on-five portion of the practice started, Black started to loosen up. He has a smooth and fluid handle in the open floor. The jump shot looked consistent off the bounce, and he did not force anything within the flow of the half-court sets.
There is something about a gamer; someone stands tallest when the lights are the brightest, that seems to work out in the end. The general thought is Black will commit to Gonzaga on Monday.
6-6 F Cam Whitmore
Severn (MD) Archbishop Spalding
On3 Consensus: No. 25
On3 NIL Valuation: $21,000
Status: Signed with Villanova
Cam Whitmore is productive. His blend of strength, explosion, and intuition often put him around the ball. Still young for his grade, he carries an alpha mentality on the floor. Whitmore is a standout defender, switchable across multiple positions. He can be a bully on that end as he moves laterally very well. Offensively, Whitmore lacks creativity, and his jump shot has a slow release, but Whitmore is decisive in getting downhill toward the rim. He rises up with balance and burst, a good rebounder.
Whitmore has immense upside, as he fits a clear archetype that modern basketball covets. There will need to be some tightening up, but there is no denying there is something in there.
Jaden Bradley, M.J. Rice, J.J. Starling, Adem Bona, and Julian Phillips were all selected to the McDonald’s All-American game, but did not participate in practices today for various injuries.