Danny Manning and Paul Pierce Named to 35 Greatest McDonald's All Americans List

Feb. 2, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The McDonald’s All-American Games have confirmed what many Jayhawk fans have long 020212aad_849_5965117.jpegthought – ­Danny Manning and Paul Pierce are among the best of the best. The Kansas duo joined an elite list of former McDonald’s All-Americans as the entity unveiled its list of 35 former players, released in celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the annual high school basketball showcase and in an effort to honor all the top athletes that have participated in the games over its history.

Manning was a McDonald’s All American in 1984 before joining the University of Kansas where he ranks first all-time in points and rebounds, while also leading the Jayhawks to the 1988 National Championship. Manning was later selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers and currently serves as an assistant coach with the Jayhawks.

Pierce was a member of the 1995 McDonald’s All-American class. He then came to Lawrence for three seasons before heading to the NBA where he has won an NBA title with the Boston Celtics.

31 former Jayhawks have been named McDonald’s All Americans, with Josh Selby being the most recent.

The 35 of the Greatest McDonald’s All-Americans list is literal who’s who of the top talents in basketball history, and features past and present Olympians, NBA and NCAA stars. The list includes Earvin “Magic” Johnson (McDonald’s All American class of 1977), Clark Kellogg (1979), Ralph Sampson (1979), Isiah Thomas (1979), Dominique Wilkins (1979), James Worthy (1979), Sam Perkins (1980), Glenn “Doc” Rivers (1980), Patrick Ewing (1981), Michael Jordan (1981), Chris Mullin (1981), Kenny Smith (1983), Danny Manning (1984), Larry Johnson (1987), Christian Laettner (1988), Alonzo Mourning (1988), Bobby Hurley 020212aad_849_5965144.jpeg(1989), Shaquille O’Neal (1989), Grant Hill (1990), Glenn Robinson (1991), Jason Kidd (1992), Jerry Stackhouse (1993), Vince Carter (1995), Kevin Garnett (1995), Paul Pierce (1995), Kobe Bryant (1996), Jay Williams (1999), Carmelo Anthony (2002), Amare Stoudemire (2002), LeBron James (2003), Chris Paul (2003), Dwight Howard (2004), Tyler Hansbrough (2005), Kevin Durant (2006) and Derrick Rose (2007).

Each of the players was selected by members of the McDonald’s All-American Games Selection Committee. In determining the list, all past McDonald’s All Americans were considered based on his high school career and performance in the McDonald’s All-American Games, success at the collegiate and professional level, and post-career accomplishments.

All 35 of the Greatest McDonald’s All Americans will also receive a custom-designed basketball, produced by Anaconda Sports® The Rock®, to commemorate this special honor.