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Three of the four Ohio State class of 2014 basketball signees were nominated for the 2014 McDonald's All-American Game this morning. D'Angelo Russell, Keita Bates-Diop and Jae'Sean Tate all find their names on the list of top recruits that potentially get to play in April's game in Chicago. The annual best of the best All-Star game event has put the top high school prospects against each other for over 30 years. The McDonald's game has showcased countless NBA players and league All-Stars, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Vince Carter, LeBron James, Carmello Anthony and many other fan favorites.
Russell, a 6-4 left handed, five star guard, made his senior season debut just about two weeks ago for power house Montverde Academy (FL) after having to miss over two months recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. In his first game back for the Eagles, Russell proved his injury was behind him and he was still one of the top overall recruits in the class of 2014 by going out and scoring 17 points to lead Montverde to a huge, 98-39 win over South Atlanta (GA).
Just like Russell, both Bates-Diop and Tate have their respected teams rolling in the right direction to contend for State Championships. So far this season Keita, who is the 27th overall player in the class of 2014, according to the 247Sports Composite, has led his University High (Normal,Illinois) squad to an overall record of 12-2, with the 6-7, five star forward Bates-Diop scoring in double digits in just about every contest for the Pioneers.
Tate, a 6-5 Mr. Do-it=all for Pickerington Central, has the Tigers currently sitting at 6-2 overall. A double-double just about every time he hits the court, the four star forward is hoping to get Central back on the winning side of things this Friday as the Tigers take on Gahanna Lincoln, after scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in a tough loss to Newark last Friday evening.
The three will find out if they made the final roster on January 29th, when they are announced live on ESPN. If selected to participate in the game, Russell, Bates-Diop and Tate would join the likes of Ivan Harris, Greg Oden, Mike Conley, Byron (BJ) Mullens, William Buford, Jared Sullinger and Shannon Scott as a few of the more recent ex and current Buckeyes in having the chance to play in the event.
To see who else joins the future Buckeyes as nominees for the 2014 McDonald's All-American Game, check out the full list here.