2025 McDonald's All-American Game: Top Prospects, Key Matchups & What NBA Scouts Are Watching

The Pinnacle of High School Basketball Returns

The McDonald's All-American Game remains basketball's most prestigious high school all-star event, attracting NBA scouts, college coaches, and basketball enthusiasts nationwide. This year's edition in Brooklyn promises exceptional talent with future NCAA stars and potential NBA lottery picks showcasing their skills before moving to the next level.

Event Schedule & Broadcast Info

• Monday, March 31 (ESPN2)
  • 7:15 PM ET: Sprite Jam Fest (Skills Challenge & 3-Point Contest)
• Tuesday, April 1 (ESPN)
  • 6:30 PM ET: Girls' All-American Game
  • 9:00 PM ET: Boys' All-American Game (Main Event)

Elite Rosters Breakdown

East Team Storylines

• Duke's Future: The Boozer brothers (Cameron & Cayden) headline with their fundamentally sound play
• UConn Pipeline: Three future Huskies (Adams, Mullins, Reibe) continue the defending champions' strong recruiting
• Undecided Top-10: Nate Ament (#4 overall, Highland School) remains college basketball's most sought-after unsigned prospect

West Team Highlights

• Dynamic Duo: Two top-ranked recruits (Dybantsa & Peterson) combine offensive firepower
• Versatile Frontcourt: Koa Peat (Arizona) and Caleb Wilson (UNC) form an athletic tandem
• Three-Level Scorers: USC commit Alijah Arenas brings elite shooting to an already stacked perimeter group

Five Marquee Matchups NBA Scouts Are Analyzing

1. #1 AJ Dybantsa (BYU) vs. #3 Cameron Boozer (Duke)

The Battle of Titans

• Dybantsa's Edge: Unmatched athleticism with a 40" vertical and 7' wingspan creates defensive nightmares
• Boozer's Counter: Elite basketball IQ and polished footwork allow him to control game tempo
• NBA Focus: Positional versatility - can Boozer defend quicker wings? Can Dybantsa handle post physicality?

2. #5 Darius Acuff (Arkansas) vs. #8 Mikel Brown Jr. (Louisville)

Point Guard Showdown

• Contrasting Styles: Acuff's explosive drives vs. Brown's crafty change-of-pace game
• Both projecting as potential one-and-done prospects with March Madness potential

3. #4 Nate Ament (Undecided) vs. #12 Alijah Arenas (USC)

Wing Prospect Battle

• Ament represents the new-age stretch 4 with 7'1" wing span and 3-and-D potential
• Arenas brings prototypical NBA two-guard size (6'6") with advanced transition finishing
• Decision Watch: Ament expected to announce college choice (Virginia, Kentucky, UNC among finalists)

4. #6 Chris Cenac Jr. (Houston) vs. #22 Eric Reibe (UConn)

Big Man Fundamentals Clinic

• Cenac's mobility vs. Reibe's textbook post game
• Both showcase modern center requirements: shooting touch + rim protection
• NBA Comparison: Cenac resembles young Bam Adebayo; Reibe draws Donovan Clingan parallels

5. #2 Darryn Peterson (Kansas) vs. #13 Isiah Harwell (Houston)

Big 12 Future Preview

• Peterson's smooth scoring ability makes him a consensus top-5 NBA draft projection
• Harwell's physical defense will reveal Peterson's readiness for college physicality
• Could preview multiple future conference matchups between Kansas and Houston

Draft Implications

This game serves as the final evaluation before several prospects:

• Participate in April's Nike Hoop Summit (international competition)
• Prepare for June's NBA Draft Combine
• Finalize decisions regarding college vs. professional options

Historical Note: 47 of last 50 NBA All-Stars played in this event, highlighting its predictive success.