Jaren Jackson Jr. and Kris Wilkes were named to the McDonald's All-American game on Sunday evening.
The McDonald's All-American game is annually the most prestigious event in high school basketball. The biggest names in the game have played in the event since 1970. Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Shaq and plenty more have made an impact and a name for themselves in the game.
Indiana was able to have Kris Wilkes and Jaren Jackson Jr. selected to the team this year. Both players have been playing well in their senior years. Equally important to currently playing well, Wilkes and Jackson each have tremendous promise for the future. The exhibition game wants to showcase the future college and NBA stars. Jackson and Wilkes fit into that mold.
Jackson is playing his senior year at La Lumiere School in LaPorte, Indiana after playing his first three years of high school at Park Tudor in Indianapolis. Jackson has come into his own over the last 12 months. He has solidified his billing as a top 20 player in the country with his play for La Lumiere. They are currently the number one team in the country by a number of outlets.
Kris Wilkes has led North Central to the number one ranking in the state to this point in the season. Wilkes has had a strong and steady approach to the game in his senior year. He has worked from inside to out. He has looked to post up and score in the paint more than he had in the last couple of years. His production has been very strong.
Here is the full 2017 McDonald's All-American game roster.
Wilkes and Jackson join a long list of Indiana natives that have made the game...
2016 - Kyle Guy
2015 - Caleb Swangian
2014 - Trey Lyles and James Blackmon Jr.
2013 - Demetrius Jackson
2012 - Gary Harris and Yogi Ferrell
2011 - Cody Zeller, Branden Dawson and Marquis Teague
2010 - Deshaun Thomas