McDonald's All-American: Practice 2 Top Performers

Houston, Texas – Twenty-four of high school basketball’s top players were under one roof for McDonald’s All-American week. The most competitive parts of the week come during the practices. Select media along with NBA scouts were in attendance for day two of the practice sessions. On3 was courtside to take in the talent.

Let’s discuss the top performers from the McDonald’s All-American scrimmage.

** Note, Tahaad Pettiford did not play in the scrimmage.  

Scrimmage top performers | McDonald’s All-American Practice 1 Top Performers | 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game Roster Breakdown | Official 2024 McDonald’s All-American Game Website

On3 MVP: Five-Star Plus+ SG Jalil Bethea, Miami

Jalil Bethea made shots in yesterday’s practice, and he continued that today. What has impressed me with the Pennsylvania-based guard is he is showing some initiation ability. For a lot of the day, Bethea had the ball in his hands and he was initiating some offense. He is not a true point guard, but he made reads and plays out of the pick-and-roll. Do not let that take away from his main threat as a play, his ability to score in bunches. But the on-ball stuff is a nice value add for his long-term outlook.

2. Five-Star Plus+ CG VJ Edgecombe, Baylor

VJ Edgecombe is one of the most explosive quick-twitch players in the event. He has the natural combination of vertical pop and lateral quickness. He also competes, proving to be one of the better point-of-attack defenders in the class. In this setting he showed to be comfortable on the ball, making reads. At 6-foot-4, Edgecombe is showing true combo ability. His jump shot is continuing to become more consistent. He is a true two-way threat and one whose long-term outlook continues to grow.

3. Five-Star Plus+ SF Cooper Flagg, Duke

Cooper Flagg is filled with winning plays. What stood out the most in this setting today is his competitiveness. He competes from the starting whistle to the final buzzer and did so today. Flagg’s timing on defense puts him in a different class than many of his peers. He is excellent in the passing lanes and his shot-blocking ability affects play around the rim. Flagg’s passing was impressive, he moved the ball on the wing and showed he could initiate some out of the pick-and-roll. He is a better shooter off the bounce, especially in the mid-range, than he is off the catch. But if he has time, and his feet are set, he can knock down a shot. Flagg affects winning, he continues to affect winning. 

4. Five-Star Plus+ SG Tre Johnson, Texas

Tre Johnson has built his reputation as a scorer, a true bucket-getter who can create for himself or play off others. Today, Johnson made shots. He has deep range on the shot. The release was smooth and the balance was consistent. Speaking of his balance, that is one of the things that make him such an intriguing scorer, along with his footwork. He is able to get to his spots, create space, and get clean looks consistently in the half-court. He will need to continue adding weight, which will help with his base and balance off movement. Today was better for him than yesterday as he looked like the best shooter in the gym.

5. Five-Star Plus+ C Jayden Quaintance, Kentucky

As the days have grown, the comfort level for Jayden Quaintance continues to become more apparent. Quaintance, still 16 years old, is the youngest player in the event. He is an explosive player around the basket, showing a lot of explosive burst. The upside with Quaintance is big. He has some physical traits that simply cannot be taught. In the practice today, he rebounded well and he finished above the rim, playing through contact. As he continues to learn the finer nuances of the game with angles and footwork, there is a lot of ceiling to continue growing into. 

6. 4-star SF Karter Knox, Kentucky

Karter Knox continues to show a composed and efficient game in this setting. Even with questions about body language and fire coming in, Knox has competed both days and proven to be an effective shot maker. Knox got into the mid-range for a couple of pull-up jumpers, but he also knocked down some catch-and-shoot threes. He looked like a plug-and-play type at the next level who can finish plays on the offensive end with low volume and get out in transition to for some easy buckets. There is wonder about the high-end upside for him, but his floor continues to rise. 

7. 4-star F Carter Bryant, Arizona

Carter Bryant has shown well on the defensive end for both days. He has great positional size at 6-foot-8 with good length and a strong frame. His ability to slide his feet with perimeter-based forwards is intriguing. He also has the frame and timing to switch down a lineup to guard more paint-based forwards. Where he was intrigued was his shot-making. His ability to consistently knock down the three-ball expands his ceiling. Today, he was knocking down catch-and-shoot corner threes at an impressive clip. The three-and-D aspect of his game is intriguing, and it is an archetype that is valuable and coveted at the highest levels.

8. 5-star SF Drake Powell, UNC

Drake Powell continues to prove to be one of the better perimeter defensive players in the class. He competes every possession, has excellent instincts, and he has excellent length and twitchy athleticism. He knocked down multiple pull-up jump shots and he moved the ball well in the flow of the game. Powell continues to connect the pieces on the court and make plays across the board. 

9. 4-star SF Bryson Tucker, Indiana

Bryson Tucker played with a lot of confidence today. He had a good feel on the ball, probing in the half-court getting in the mid-range and elevating from the elbows. Tucker has impressed this weekend on the defensive end. He has played physically with good athleticism. Tucker’s jump shot has improved, while still a little bit flat. He is better at knocking down shots off the bounce, especially in the mid-range. He is comfortable on the ball and plays good balance. 

10. 5-star C Flory Bidunga, Kansas

The explosion continues to jump off the page for Flory Bidunga. The 6-foot-9 center used his pop and his high motor to find production on both ends. Bidunga made his biggest presence felt on the boards. He was involved in seemingly everything that came off the class, both on the offensive and defensive end. The lefty finished well around the basket, taking everything strong to the front of the rim. He runs the floor very well, playing from rim to rim, and in straight lines. He has an intimidation factor and no matter how many times you watch him play, the quick pop still sneaks up on you.

Other McDonald’s All-American Practice 2 Standouts

5-star SF Isaiah Evans (Duke) is a confident shooter. He started off the practice making a contested three. He has a quick release and plays with great balance. 

4-star C John Bol (Ole Miss) has a lengthy and athletic frame. It is very interesting presence he brings with his ability to move along with length. He is switchable and he can protect the rim. He still needs to find his way offensively and add weight. 

Five-Star Plus+ CG Dylan Harper (Rutgers) makes excellent decisions with the ball. He plays with great pace, gets his defender on his hip, and makes plays through contact. Excellent passer and he is at his best on the ball.

4-star PG Boogie Fland (Kentucky) has shown natural leadership throughout the event. He knocked down shots today, he has good form and a soft touch. He also touched the paint well and made plays. Very solid showing.

Five-Star Plus+ SG Ian Jackson (UNC) is so effective in the open floor. He has a good feel with the ball in his hands and gets can to his spots to knock down shots. He plays with toughness and confidence, especially when a play breaks down and becomes free-flowing.

4-star C Derik Queen (Maryland) has excellent footwork with go-to moves and counters on the block. He has good hands and touch. His effort was inconsistent today, but he continues to produce on the block. 

Five-Star Plus+ F Ace Bailey (Rutgers) is a tough shot taker, and at his best, is a tough shot maker. He has good length with positional size and deep range. Bailey is a good athlete, and when his shot is falling can be very eye-opening.

4-star C Aiden Sherrell (Alabama) has a lot of the tools you look for at the highest levels. He knocked down some jump shots and showed fluidity changing directions on defense. There is a very intriguing upside. 

4-star F Donnie Freeman (Syracuse) fits an archetype mold that is valuable at the highest levels of basketball right now. He showed touch with range off the catch and his ability to score off two and three dribbles. He has versatile defensive ability with length and timing.