Sports On The Side

The teams included Sweetwater's Michael Pitt '79.  John Wooden is holding the ball.

This photo was taken years after the 1981 game.

John Wooden is holding the MVP trophy.  O'Neal had 18 points, 16 rebounds and six blocks.

Kobe Bryant played in his home state of Pennsylvania, the game was in Pittsburg.

2002  was the 25th anniversary of the game and was played at Madison Square Garden.

The game was played in LeBron's home town of Cleveland and he was the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year.

James was named the slam dunk champion earlier in the week.

Named MVP with 27 points going 12 for 24 from the field.  John Wooden is holding the trophy.

Paul had a game-high 10 assists

James played for Vincent-St. Mary in Ohio

In a year with Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo the show was stolen by Candace Parker who became the first girl to win the slam dunk contest.

Andrew Bynum (left) & Amir Johnson battle for the ball

John Wooden speaks at the awards banquet.  March 30, 2005 was declared "John Wooden Day" in the state of Indiana for his great devotion to basketball and commitment to the McDonald's All-American Game.  Wooden is from Indiana.

Budinger was runner-up in the slam dunk contest to Gerald Henderson

Durant was a co-MVP with Chase Budinger

At the 2007 awards banquet in Louisville, KY

Slam dunk champion

Rose played for legendary Simeon in Chicago, IL

Evans was the MVP with 21 points and 10 rebounds.

Sidney had 11 points on 5 for 14 from the field while playing 17 minutes.

MVP Derrick Favors scored 19 points in 18 minutes while going 9 for 13 from the field

Selby was the slam dunk champion

At the scrimmage

The game returned to the windy city for the first time since 1982.  And in 2012 Chicago became the first city to host back-to-back McDonald's All-American games, which is the headquarters of McDonald's.

Tip-off at the United Center

Winning the slam dunk contest

Muhammad was the MVP of the 35th anniversary game scoring 21 points in 22 minutes