If you want to win an NCAA title you need a good coach, a great resume…and a McDonald’s All-American. Only 1 championship team since 1979 has not featured such a player (Maryland in 2002). The McDonald’s All-American Game did not take place last spring and will not be taking place this spring due to COVID, sadly. However, the rosters were announced on February 23rd after selecting the 24 best players in the nation from a list of several hundred nominees. If you do not think these guys can make an immediate impact in the fall, just ask Coach Mark Few how he likes having 2020 honoree Jalen Suggs at Gonzaga! Michigan seems to be the big winner so far as Coach Juwan Howard will be having a trio of 2021 honorees join him in Ann Arbor this fall. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Jabari Smith Jr. about winning a gold medal and being named a McDonald’s All-American.
You won a gold medal with team USA at the 2019 FIBA U-16 Americas Championship in Brazil: what did it mean to you to represent your country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? It meant the world to me and was a great experience that I never forget.
What has been the hardest part of being a high school basketball player during a pandemic? Not being able to play as many AAU games: it was a huge issue and it will be the last time that I ever have a chance to play AAU. Gym access was also tough for some people.
You received offers from several great schools including Georgia/LSU/North Carolina/Tennessee but committed to Auburn last October: what was the biggest factor in your decision? Their family atmosphere created by both the players and the coaching staff. I also like their playing style and the fact that is is close to home.
The Tigers are 12-14 this season: do you feel any pressure to help them improve next year since you are the highest-rated recruit in school history, or do you think they are already set for 2022 because they do not have a single senior on the current roster? I do not necessarily feel pressure but am excited to get there and just help as much as I can by being ready to go as soon as I step onto campus so that I can make an immediate impact.
Auburn’s other big recruit for next year is Trey Alexander: how well do you know him, and what makes him such a good player? I know him a little bit: we were at the Pangos All-American Camp together and became friends. He can really shoot and has a great feel for the game. The underrated part of his game is that he plays good defense and is a real team player.
You plan to major in Communications with a minor in Business: why did you pick those subjects? I love talking to people and having my voice out there. I want to major in something that can keep me around the game for a long time because basketball is my calling.
Your Sandy Creek High School team went 14-0 in region play this year: how were you able to stay focused for every single game on your schedule? Our coach always taught us to play inspired no matter who the competition is. With COVID around the season could end at any time so we played hard during every game and did not take anything for granted.
Last week you were named a McDonald’s All-American: what did it mean to you to receive such an outstanding honor? It is something that you work for throughout your entire life, but did not hit me until later because it is unreal. I just thank God for it because it is so cool.
You are 6’10”: what position do you play now, and what position will you feel most comfortable at in college? I played the 3 and 4 even though I am the tallest person on my team. In college I think I might get to play at any of the frontcourt positions. I do not want to limit myself by only playing 1 position and will play wherever my coach needs me to.
Your father Jabari Sr. played in the NBA and overseas and your cousin Kwame Brown was the 1st overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft: who is the best athlete in the family? I am a really competitive person so I would say me!
Under the Radar Game of the Day – Wednesday, March 3
Abilene Christian at Stephen F Austin, 9:00 PM Eastern, espn+
For the final time as members of the Southland conference (with both of these schools slated to move to the WAC next season), Abilene Christian is travelling to Stephen F Austin tonight with the Wildcats looking for their first eve way in Nacogdoches and their first ever season sweep of the Lumberjacks. The game also will have huge ramifications on the battle for the top two seeds in the Southland tournament (those two teams getting a bye to the semifinals) and the quest for the regular season championship.
Abilene Christian enters play tonight at 11-2 in SLC play and 19-4 overall. They are part of a four-way tie in the loss column atop the Southland standings with SFA, Sam Houston State and Nicholls State, though first place could have been theirs outright but for an upset loss last time out at Central Arkansas. Kolton Kohl, Joe Pleasant and Coryon Mason are all averaging double figures in scoring for the Wildcats. Kohl led the way with 20 points in ACU’s 82-62 win over SFA back on January 27.
Stephen F Austin currently sits at 12-2 in Southland play and 15-4 overall. The Lumberjacks, who are ineligible for the Southland and NCAA tournaments due to an APR ban, could also have been in first place on their own but for an upset loss over this past weekend at Lamar, though they did bounce back Monday night to win at Central Arkansas. Gavin Kensmil leads the way for SFA averaging team highs in points (15.7) and rebounds (7.3) per game. Cameron Johnson, Roti Ware and David Kachelries are all double-digit scorers as well. Johnson had the best game for the Lumberjacks when these two teams last met, scoring 13 points and pulling down 15 rebounds. He and his teammates will need to be even better tonight if they want to claim at least a share of the Southland regular season title in their final year in the conference.