The legend continues to grow for terrific 6-foot-4 senior point guard Ty Ty Washington (Creighton commit), as he continues to lead #1 nationally ranked (Max Preps) AZ Compass Prep this season to a huge 2021 campaign. Washington's latest effort came in another big victory for AZ Compass, as he led his program to a big 68-55 win over #6 ranked Prolific Prep (CA) in a Grind Session battle @ The PHHACILITY on Tuesday evening. Washington finished with a game-high 25 points in the win - scoring 13 points late in the second half and missing just one shot down the stretch, as AZ Compass pulled away late.
Washington's heroics this season have basketball enthusiasts now discussing his potential as a selection for the McDonald's All-American Game this spring (2021), and the consensus is a resounding "Absolutely." According to top-rated national scouts and any one that knows basketball, Washington is more than on pace this season to get the nod for the honor, and is more than well-deserving. Washington is as good a point guard prospect as there is in America, and he is definitely a strong candidate for the West McDonald's squad that will soon be announced.
Normally, the announcement for the honor comes before the end of the high school season, and the McDonald's All-American Game is held in late March, but with the majority of high school seasons around the country starting late this season, due to the COVID pandemic, it is still unclear when the announcement will be made.
The following individuals are eligible to nominate players:
- High School Principal
- High School Athletic Director
- High School Coach
- Member of the McDonald’s All-American Games Selection Committee
Each student-athlete who is nominated and is in good academic standing will receive a certificate from McDonald’s acknowledging their nomination for the 2021 McDonald’s All American Game. This certificate will be sent directly to the high school.
According to close national scouting friends in our business, Washington is a very strong candidate for the honor, and should be in. In my opinion, Washington is a definite, as I have only seen a few players nationally this high school season that mean as much to their program. A McDonald's honor for Washington would obviously be great for him and his family, and the AZ Compass Prep program, but it would also be fantastic for the state of Arizona, as Washington has literally worked his way to the top of the national player rankings and now the team rankings for his program. While previous McDonald's All-Americans such as Nico Mannion (Golden State Warriors) and Jerryd Bayless (Former NBA guard) both were considered for the honor throughout their high school careers, Washington instead climbed the ladder step by step. A McDonald's All-American Game nomination for Washington would also make many in the state, including our staff, very proud, as Washington is a true Arizona product that the Arizona basketball community has known for many years, and, if they have not already, should get behind, as he carries the torch for our state - a state that has often been deprived of such national respect and attention.
Washington has done all he can thus far this season to prove his worthiness for such a big-time honor, and his continued strong play for such a loaded team of prospects, and a strong finish to the prep season, will only continue to help his candidacy. I, for one, am pulling for this young man, as it is such a wonderful story, as he has overcome the odds and the condemnation of the public from past discretion. Washington's redemption and terrific play all season long has been tremendous and a joy to watch. I am hoping to soon have the joy of seeing another one of Arizona's own receive such an honor.
Notes: Hillcrest Prep star 6-foot-10 senior forward Mike Foster is a shoe-in for this year's McDonald's All-American Game, as the elite 2021 prospect has had a terrific high school career, and is having another tremendous season in leading a loaded Hillcrest Prep program. Foster is rated among the nation's Top 10 prospects in America's 2021 Class. Following last year's trend, a few highly regarded prospects will likely take the professional route. Doing so makes the prospect ineligible for the McDonald's All-American Game. It is still unclear what Foster will do for college, or whether he will instead elect for the NBA's G-League next season, so we will stay tuned to see what Foster decides.
AZ Compass Prep star 6-foot-9 senior forward DaRon Holmes (University of Dayton signee) is another prospect very deserving of strong consideration for the honor as well. Holmes previously left the state of Arizona to attend previously #1 ranked Montverde Academy (FL), but he has since returned to the state, and now anchors the loaded AZ Compass Prep lineup. Holmes is a superb talent with excellent size, length, athleticism and a nice overall skill level. In a normal year, he might be much higher on the list of prospects being considered for the honor, but many college scouts and media will not get to see him perform as much as anticipated, as a result of the COVID pandemic.
Dream City Christian Prep 6-foot-7 senior forward Arthur Kaluma (UNLV signee) is another Arizona-based prospect with a possibility for a McDonald's All-American Game nomination as well. Kaluma has been rated as a Top 30 to Top 50 national prospect throughout his high school career, and he has consistently delivered at a high level for one of the top prep programs in the country. A tremendous athletic talent with an ability to score inside and out, Kaluma is another Arizona prep prospect that will receive serious consideration.
