Imagine a gym where every single player on the floor is a future college starter — and most are projected NBA draft picks. That’s not a hypothetical. That’s the McDonald’s All-American Game.
The 2026 McDonald’s All-American Boys Basketball Game is one of the most anticipated events in high school sports. For athletes, it’s the ultimate pre-college showcase. For coaches, it’s a final live evaluation before the nation’s best prospects head to campus. And for basketball fans, it’s pure must-watch television.
Here’s everything you need to know before tip-off.
What Is the McDonald’s All-American Game?
The McDonald’s All-American Game is the country’s most prestigious high school basketball all-star showcase. Held annually, it brings together the top 24 senior players in the nation for one marquee contest, East vs. West, before they head to college.
Every player selected is among the best in their class. This isn’t just an honor — it’s a statement. McDonald’s All-American selections routinely go on to become first-round NBA Draft picks, college All-Americans, and professional stars.
Think: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and Zion Williamson all played in this game.
2026 McDonald’s All-American Game: Key Details
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |
| Time | 9:00 PM ET |
| Location | Desert Diamond Arena — Glendale, Arizona |
| TV/Stream | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN App, Fubo |
The night also features the Girls’ All-American Game at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN, so the full evening is a celebration of the best prep basketball in the country.
Bonus event: The Sprite Jam Fest (Monday, March 30) airs at 9:30 PM ET on ESPN2, featuring the 3-point shooting contest, dunk contest, and skills challenge.
The 2026 Class Is Special — Here’s Why
All 24 players in this year’s boys’ game are ranked inside the ESPN 100. Let that sink in. The entire roster is elite — but several names stand above the rest.
The Players to Watch
Tyran Stokes | SF | Rainier Beach (Wash.) | No. 1 Overall | West
The headliner. Stokes is a 6-foot-7, 230-pound point forward with brute force and elite skill. His combination of size, ball-handling, 3-point shooting, and free throw drawing make him the most complete prospect in the class. He’s still uncommitted, with Kentucky, Oregon, and Kansas among the frontrunners.
Cameron Williams | F | St. Mary’s (Ariz.) | No. 3 Overall | West
Williams blends center-sized length (7-foot-2 wingspan) with small-forward scoring ability. His shooting touch, mobile defense, and shot-blocking make him a future pro. He’s committed to Duke.
Jordan Smith | G | Paul VI (Va.) | No. 2 Overall | East
An intense two-way guard who brings relentless energy on both ends of the floor. Smith creates off the dribble, hits mid-range pull-ups, and defends with force. He’s headed to Arkansas.
Caleb Holt | G | Prolific Prep (Calif.) | No. 4 Overall | West
A powerful combo guard who shot 43% from three this past season while averaging 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 steals. He plays bigger than his size and is committed to Arizona.
Bruce Branch III | F | Prolific Prep (Calif.) | No. 6 Overall | East
Branch reclassified up from the 2027 class — and he still lands in the top six nationally. He’s a floor-spacing 3-point threat who shot 50% from deep on the 3SSB circuit last summer. He’ll replace AJ Dybantsa at BYU next season.
Jason Crowe Jr. | PG | Inglewood (Calif.) | No. 7 Overall | West
Crowe led the EYBL in scoring last summer (23.6 PPG) and broke Jayson Tatum’s Hoophall Classic single-game scoring record with 48 points in January. He’s signed with Missouri and one of the most explosive offensive players in the country.
Full 2026 McDonald’s All-American Rosters
2026 McDonald’s All-American East Roster
| Player | ESPN Rank | Pos. | School | Committed To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Smith | 2 | G | Paul VI (Va.) | Arkansas |
| Deron Rippey Jr. | 13 | PG | Blair Academy (N.J.) | Duke |
| Anthony Thompson | 11 | F | Western Reserve Academy (Ohio) | Ohio State |
| Toni Bryant | 14 | F | Southeastern Prep (Fla.) | Missouri |
| Adonis Ratliff | 15 | C | Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) | USC |
| Jaxon Richardson | 17 | F | Southeastern Prep (Fla.) | Alabama |
| Taylen Kinney | 19 | PG | Overtime Elite | Kansas |
| Maximo Adams | 21 | F | Sierra Canyon (Calif.) | North Carolina |
| Jasiah Jervis | 25 | G | Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) | Michigan State |
| Darius Ratliff | 29 | C | Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) | USC |
| Latrell Allmond | 34 | F | Petersburg HS (Va.) | Oklahoma State |
| Darius Bivins | 44 | PG | Bishop O’Connell (Va.) | Undecided |
| Bruce Branch III | 6 | F | Prolific Prep (Calif.) | BYU |
2026 McDonald’s All-American West Roster
| Player | ESPN Rank | Pos. | School | Committed To |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyran Stokes | 1 | SF | Rainier Beach (Wash.) | Undecided |
| Cameron Williams | 3 | F | Saint Mary’s (Ariz.) | Duke |
| Caleb Holt | 4 | G | Prolific Prep (Calif.) | Arizona |
| Christian Collins | 5 | F | St. John Bosco (Calif.) | USC |
| Jason Crowe Jr. | 7 | PG | Inglewood (Calif.) | Missouri |
| Caleb Gaskins | 10 | F | Christopher Columbus (Fla.) | Miami |
| JaShawn Andrews | 12 | G | Little Rock Christian (Ark.) | Arkansas |
| Brandon McCoy | 18 | G | Sierra Canyon (Calif.) | Undecided |
| Taylen Kinney | 19 | PG | Overtime Elite | Kansas |
| Arafan Diane | 20 | C | Iowa United Prep (Iowa) | Houston |
| Austin Goosby | 16 | G | Dynamic Prep (Texas) | Texas |
| Quinn Costello | 28 | C | The Newman School (Mass.) | Michigan |
Why the McDonald’s All-American Game Matters
For athletes: A McDonald’s All-American selection is one of the highest honors in high school basketball. It validates years of work and signals that you’re operating at the highest level in the country.
For coaches: This is a last live look at prospects before they become your players — or your opponents. Tendencies, competitiveness, coachability under the spotlight — it all shows up here.
For fans: This game often foreshadows the next decade of college and pro basketball. The players you see tonight could be filling out NBA rosters within two years.
How to Maximize Your Recruitment Ahead of the Next Big Showcase
The McDonald’s All-American Game is the finish line of a long recruiting journey — but most of that work happens long before the lights come on at Desert Diamond Arena.
At TeamGenius, we help coaches and programs make smarter, faster recruiting decisions at every stage of that journey. Our tools help you evaluate athletic performance with real data, build comparative player profiles, and identify standout athletes before they’re household names.
Whether you’re scouting the next Tyran Stokes or building your program’s talent pipeline, TeamGenius gives you the edge you need in a competitive recruiting landscape.
👉 Learn how TeamGenius can transform your process →
Frequently Asked Questions
The game tips off on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 9:00 PM ET at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
The game airs on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU. You can also stream it on the ESPN App and Fubo.
Tyran Stokes from Rainier Beach High School in Washington is the No. 1-ranked prospect in the class of 2026. The 6-foot-7 forward is uncommitted as of game day, with Kentucky, Oregon, and Kansas among the top contenders.
There are 24 players total — 12 on the East squad and 12 on the West squad — all ranked within the ESPN 100.
Yes. The Girls’ All-American Game tips off at 7:00 PM ET on March 31, also on ESPN, right before the boys’ game.
Leave a Reply