Where Is Every 2019 McDonald’s All-American Today?
- Joel Piton
- 4 hours ago
- 23 min read
The 2019 McDonald’s All-American Game represented the final chapter of an unforgettable decade in high school basketball. Twenty-four of the nation’s most celebrated prospects showed out with five-star rankings, viral mixtapes and the expectation of becoming a future star. Seven years later? The picture is polarizing.
Some of these kids validated the hype in college and then developed into legitimate NBA stars. Others took longer, more complicated routes through transfer portals, the G League, overseas and more. And, of course, some of the prospects disappeared from the national spotlight entirely.
For the latest installment of McDonald’s Monday, we’re traveling back to 2019 to examine the final All-American class of the 2010s. Did these highly touted prospects maximize their basketball potential? Or were fans fooled by the highlight tape?
Let’s find out.
East
Precious Achiuwa (F)
At 6'9" and 215 pounds, Achiuwa was ranked the number two small forward on planet earth. Scouts loved his strength, motor, open-floor speed and tremendous leaping ability. He could devastate in you in transition, glide above the rim, had insane rebounding ability and could guard virtually every position on the basketball court. There were concerns though. He couldn't create his own shot or stretch the floor, but at the high school level he didn't need to. Everything changed when he got to college. Achiuwa went from small forward to a forward-center and completely rebuilt his game. In the wake of fellow All-American James Wiseman's investigation, Achiuwa was asked to cover a lot of the offensive gaps.
Drafted 20th to the Miami Heat after a one and done freshman campaign, Achiuwa entered the league as an energetic reserve who ran the floor, attacked the glass and finished efficiently around the rim. His offensive responsibilities were limited, but he produced enough to earn Rising Stars recognition as a rookie. Fast forward to now, and Achiuwa has played for four teams, most currently with the Sacramento Kings, where he started a career high 57 and games and put up around 10.1 points per night. He hasn't reached the star potential surrounding his athletic gifts, but he's become a dependable role-player.
Cole Anthony (G)
This is one hurts. Coming out of high school, Cole Anthony was NOT projected as a reserve fighting to remain in the league. He was the top-ranked point guard in his class, the son of 11-year NBA veteran Greg Anthony and one of the most decorated guards in the country. The MVP of the McDonald's All-American and Jordan Brand Classic games, Cole was unguardable at Oak Hill and a tremendous triple-threat. The scouting report was straightforward: he could score, facilitate and dunk on your favorite defender. However, his difficult-shot making was described as both a blessing and a curse, and his efficiency had been on and off. Anthony’s freshman season at North Carolina was productive but messy. He averaged 18.5 points but just 38% from the field and missed a quarter of the season to injury. By draft night, he was no longer viewed as a franchise point guard.
Still, Anthony quickly became a fan favorite in Orlando. As a rookie he was an aggressive clutch scorer and he took an even larger leap his sophomore year, averaging career highs of 16.3 points, 5.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds. Unfortunately, his sophomore breakout proved to be his ceiling rather than the beginning of an ascent. Anthony never became an efficient enough scorer or consistent enough playmaker. Orlando added Jalen Suggs, first overall pick Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and overtime, Anthony's impact diminished even if his efficiency climbed. Following last season's stint with the Bucks where he averaged just 6 points, he remains a free agent.
Armando Bacot (C)
Bacot exceeded expectations at the collegiate level and in my opinion just barely fell short of the NBA. Coming out of high school, scouts saw a strong, skilled traditional big with excellent hands, polished footwork, soft touch and scary rebounding. Bacot could score over either shoulder, finish through contact and occasionally step into a midrange jumper. But an extended college career may have shortened his ceiling. The guy was built for college basketball. A bruiser with excellent hands and phenomenal footwork, Bacot emerged as one of the premier big men in his class. After averaging 24.5 points and 12 rebounds during his junior season at Trinity Episcopal, he transferred to IMG Academy and helped them capture the national championship.
At North Carolina alongside fellow McDonald’s All-American Cole Anthony, Bacot was the flagship frontcourt player for 5 seasons, given that the pandemic granted him an extra year of eligibility. His first two seasons were productive but he exploded in 2022, recording a double-double in all six NCAA Tournament games before narrowly losing to Kansas in the finals. Rather than leave while his stock was at its highest, Bacot returned—and then returned again. By the time his career ended, Bacot owned the UNC record for rebounds. Bacot went undrafted in 2024, joined the Memphis Grizzlies for training camp and spent his rookie professional season with the Memphis Hustle. His production helped him clinch a contract with European powerhouse Fenerbahce, but he hasn't gotten an NBA contract yet.
Vernon Carey Jr. (C)
Vernon Carey Jr. was excellent in high school and college but just built for the wrong NBA era. He dominated with strength, finishing and low-post scoring, but the NBA demanded mobility and shooting that Carey couldn't supply. The kid looked like basketball royalty in South Florida. The son of former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Vernon Carey Sr., the 6'10", 270-pound center overwhelmed high school opponents with grown-man strength, excellent hands and remarkably soft touch. He averaged 26 points and 10.1 rebounds as a junior while leading University School to a 36–2 record and a Florida state championship. By graduation? Carey was one of the highest-ranked players in the country.
Carey could establish deep position, score over either shoulder, bully defenders beneath the basket and control the glass. He had also begun extending his jumper toward the college three-point line, and at Duke, he was played exactly as advertised. He averaged 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, earning ACC Freshman of the year honors. Carey slipped to Charlotte with the 32nd pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, but he spent most of his first two seasons buried on the depth chart or developing with the G-League. He averaged just 2 points per game over 23 games played with Charlotte. Charlotte eventually traded him to Washington but D.C. did not give him the breakthrough he needed. After a stint with Turkey he returned to the G-League in 2025.
Anthony Edwards (G)
Ant-Man is the home run of this class. He became the first overall pick and has already surpassed most reasonable expectations placed on him as a teenager. He didn't merely live up to the hype—he became the player every five-star prospect dreams of becoming. Built like an NFL running back with Hall-of-Fame athleticism, Edwards emerged from Holy Spirit Prep as arguably the most physically gifted guard in high school basketball. At 6'5" and roughly 215 pounds, Edwards possessed an ideal combination of strength, length and athleticism. He could overpower smaller guards, explode through contact and create his own shot from virtually anywhere on the floor.
His lone college season was spectacular, although imperfect. Edwards averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists but shot just 40% from the field. Minnesota decided the upside was too great to ignore and the rest was history. His fearless personality and highlight-reel athleticism immediately translated, but the most impressive part of his development has been everything added since. Edwards became a more disciplined shooter, stronger playmaker and increasingly committed defender while gradually taking control of the Timberwolves as one of the league's flagship guards. Already a four-time All-Star, we could be witnessing the face of the league in just a few years.
Trayce-Jackson Davis (C)
Trayce Jackson-Davis became everything Indiana could have hoped for, dramatically outperformed his draft position as an NBA rookie, but hasn't yet secured the permanent starting role his early Golden State success seemed to suggest. Basketball was practically embedded in TJD’s DNA. The son of former NBA All-Star Dale Davis, Jackson-Davis developed into a five-star force at Center Grove High School in Indiana. The 6'9" lefty combined explosive finishing, soft touch and tremendous shot-blocking instincts, averaging 22 points, nine rebounds and three blocks as a senior while leading Center Grove to the state semifinals. Rather than leave his home state, Jackson-Davis committed to Indiana—and essentially became the face of Hoosiers basketball for the next four years. He began as a productive freshman, developed into an All-Big Ten star and eventually authored one of the greatest careers in program history, finishing third all-time in points. He earned consensus First-Team All-American honors and captured the Karl Malone Award as the nation’s best power forward.
The NBA was less convinced. He was 23 years old and couldn't space the floor the way most teams wanted. The Warriors picked up his rights at pick 57 and immediately looked like geniuses. Davis averaged 7.9 points, 5 rebounds and 1.1 blocks as a rookie while shooting an absurd 70.2 percent from the field, finishing one vote shy of an All Rookie team. Unfortunately his lack of shooting complicated the Warriors spacing as they struggled to find a true center, and his role diminished little by little. They flipped him to Toronto last season for virtually nothing, where averaged just 1.8 points per game.
Josiah Jordan-James (G)
Josiah-Jordan James was a one-man wrecking crew at Porter-Gaud. A five-year varsity starter from Charleston, the 6'6" left-hander led the Cyclones to three state championships and closed his senior season averaging a ridiculous 29.1 points, 12.4 rebounds, 5.3 blocks and 4.9 assists per game. James was especially intriguing because no one knew what position he would play. Porter-Gaud developed him as a jumbo point guard but the rebounding suggested a forward. Rather than accept offers from one of college basketball’s traditional blue bloods, James committed to Tennessee, where became a capable passer, but a far more dependable rebounder and defender. Over the span of a five year collegiate career, the offense never really arrived.
James averaged 7.4 points as a freshman, eight as a sophomore and reached a career-high 10.3 points during his junior season. His jumper remained inconsistent, and he never developed into the assertive primary scorer expected from a five-star recruit. Injuries also repeatedly ruined his momentum. Still James became the veteran backbone of one of the country’s most physical defensive programs. He guarded practically every position, rebounded like a power forward and over time was clearly the Volunteers' leader. James went undrafted in 2024 but signed with the Pacers in the fall, only to be released two days later. He's currently playing in Jerusalem.
Scottie Lewis (F)
Scottie Lewis was one of the most electrifying prospects. His first mixtape went viral as an eighth-grader, pulling in 100,000 views within the first month. The ceiling looked sky high. A 6'5" wing with spring-loaded athleticism, endless energy and seemingly no concern for his own safety around the rim, Lewis became a viral sensation at Ranney School. Alongside fellow five-star recruit Bryan Antoine, he helped transform a relatively small New Jersey program into a national attraction and led Ranney to a tournament championship. His highlight-reel dunks attracted most of the attention, but his motor and defensive versatility were what truly separated him. Lewis possessed quick hands, long arms and the athleticism to harass guards, recover for blocks and defend multiple positions.
The concern was his offensive ceiling. Lewis lacked ball handling and didn't have much of a three-pointer. He committed to Florida but never really materialized into an NBA prospect, averaging just 8 points per game over two seasons with the Gators. Charlotte still believed in the upside and selected Lewis with the 56th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He signed a two-way contract and split his rookie season between the Hornets and Greensboro Swarm, but appeared in only two NBA games. Following a broken leg, Lewis found himself bouncing around the G-League, Canada and currently Malaysia, where plays for the Johor Southern Tigers.
Jaden McDaniels (F)
No one could have expected this out of Jaden McDaniels. A standout at Federal Way, Washington, his lone college season was incredibly inconsistent and ultimately caused his draft stock to collapse. Ironically, Minnesota received a far better player than Washington ever did. Jaden was one of the biggest mismatches in high school hoops. Standing nearly 6'10' with the fluidity of a guard, McDaniels could grab a rebound, lead the break, rise into pull-up jumpers and use his length to disrupt virtually every position defensively. As a senior he averaged 23.3 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocks, with scouts claiming he was a hybrid between Jonathan Isaac and Kevin Durant. McDaniels elected to remain close to home and committed to Washington with fellow All-American Isaiah Stewart, but they didn't exactly take over the Pac-12.
McDaniels averaged 13 points on just 40% from the field and Washington finished with a losing record of 15-17. McDaniels recorded at least four turnovers in 12 games and accumulated numerous personal fouls, subsequently falling to pick 28. Then things turned around. McDaniels developed into Minnesota’s premier perimeter defender, routinely accepting assignments against the league’s most dangerous guards and wings. His length, lateral movement and ability to recover after being beaten made him the ideal defensive complement to Edwards and Rudy Gobert. He's currently one of the more valuably wings in the Western Conference.
Wendell Moore Jr. (F)
A powerful 6'5" wing with the strength to finish through contact, the vision to initiate offense and the versatility to defend multiple positions, Moore became the face of Cox Mill High School immediately. As a sophomore, he erupted for 29 points and 12 rebounds to deliver the program’s first state championship. One year later, he sank the deciding free throws as Cox Mill captured its second consecutive title. He wasn't an overwhelming scorer or athlete. His appeal came from how many different things he could do really well. He could handle the ball, create for teammates, rebound, defend wings and overpower smaller guards. He also won two gold medals with USA Basketball and entered Duke as a top twenty player, although his transition to Duke was far from immediate. He averaged just 7 points a game as a freshman and 9 points as a sophomore, but found a breakthrough as the team captain his junior year.
Moore averaged 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, a team-high 4.4 assists while shooting 50% from the field and 41.3% from three. Dallas selected him 26th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft before his rights were routed to Minnesota and on paper, it made sense. Moore didn't demand the ball and could guard multiple positions. He averaged just 1 point per game across 54 games played through his first two seasons with Minnesota, before getting bounced around the league without ever finding his footing. He most recently played six games for the Pistons, where averaged just 1.7 points.
Isaiah Stewart (C)
Stewart became the exact type of professional his scouting report promised: physical, relentless, productive and completely unafraid of confrontation. He was “Beef Stew” long before Detroit gave the nickname national recognition. The Rochester native developed into one of the most overpowering big men in high school basketball, eventually leaving McQuaid Jesuit for national powerhouse La Lumiere. Standing 6'9" and nearly 250 pounds, Stewart combined an NBA-ready frame with a nonstop motor, violent rebounding and an aggressive touch beneath the basket. As a senior, he averaged 18.1 points, 11.3 rebounds and 3.2 blocks while leading La Lumiere through the first undefeated regular season in program history. Opting to suit up for Washington with Jaden McDaniels, Stewart was an immediate star, putting up 17 points a night on 57% from the field, as well as 2 blocks.
Detroit acquired Stewart on draft night after he was selected 16th overall in 2020, and he quickly became one of the few dependable bright spots during the franchise’s darkest rebuilding years. As a rookie he was named to the All-Rookie Second Team, and his energy immediately connected with fans. Unfortunately, the emergency of Jalen Duren left Stewart coming off the bench, and while he still produced well, it was clear the franchise was comfortable letting him go, even if he was one of the league's better interior defenders. He was sent to the Grizzlies in a massive six-team trade in July of 2026.
Trendon Watford (F)
Trendon Watford is underrated, mostly because he's never really been able to fit in a traditional box. He's not explosive enough to be a traditional wing, or tall enough to dominate as a center, but he's repeatedly proven that he can dribble, pass, rebound and create offense at 6-foot-8. Watford was an absolute nightmare in Alabama. He averaged 23.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 blocks as a senior while leading the Spartans to their third consecutive Class 7A state championship, earning Alabama Mr. Basketball honors twice. Unlike some forwards who rely solely on athleticism, Watford could push the ball after grabbing a rebound, create from the elbows, score through contact and find cutters when defenses collapsed. He committed to LSU over Alabama where he immediately became one of the Tiger's most gifted players.
Watford ultimately went undrafted in 2021, but Portland quickly gave him a two-way contract. He played well enough to earn a standard NBA deal during his rookie campaign and later delivered one of the best performances of his young career, scoring 27 points against Washington. He was waived and signed by Brooklyn in 2023, where he grew his skill set as a small-ball center, before signing with the 76ers in 2025. It seems as though Watford has mainly been finding NBA contracts with non-playoff teams who need hustlers, and he's been contributing.
West
Bryan Antoine (G)
Bryan Antoine formed one-half of the most electrifying high-school partnership in New Jersey basketball. While Scottie Lewis supplied the acrobatics, Antoine was Ranney School's bucket getter. The 6'5" shooting guard averaged at least 20 points during all four varsity seasons and finished as the Shore Conference’s all-time leading scorer with 2,514 career points. The appeal was easy to understand: he possessed excellent speed in the open court, explosive finishing ability and the natural scoring instincts to manufacture points without commanding the ball. He could attack closeouts, elevate around the rim and knock down shots from the perimeter. Duke, Kentucky, Kansas and Florida aggressively pursued him, but Antoine committed to the defending national champs. Villanova had recently developed guards and wings such as Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges and Donte DiVincenzo into NBA players and Antoine looked next.
Unfortunately, his Wildcats career was over before it even began. Antoine underwent major shoulder surgery, played just 16 games and averaged 1.1 points. Antoine reinjured the same shoulder his sophomore season and ankle his junior season. Across three seasons at Villanova, the former five-star recruit appeared in only 46 games, never started and averaged approximately 1.5 points. Seeking a genuine reset, Antoine transferred to Radford. Dropping from the Big East to the Big South finally gave him consistent minutes, and the results were immediate. He averaged 11.4 points per game over his next two season, but the efficiency wasn't there as a senior. Antoine subsequently went on undrafted with no NBA or G League contract waiting, and is currently playing in the Netherlands.
Josh Green (G)
Josh Green's star upside never materialized, but he's still a solid two-way player. He's built a respectable six-season career, but in high school, he was projected to be a different animal. Green's NBA journey began 8,000 miles away from the NBA in Sydney, Australia, where excelled in both basketball and Australian rules football before choosing between the two. He eventually transferred to IMG Academy, where his combination of size, speed and nonstop athleticism transformed him into a consensus five-star recruit and top 15 prospect. Not an iso scorer, he used his 6'6" frame to fly down the court, attack the rim, make quick passes and guard multiple positions.
As a senior, Green helped IMG capture the 2019 high-school national championship. He then committed to Arizona to play alongside fellow All-American standout Nico Mannion. Following a moderate collegiate season, Green was drafted 18th to the Mavericks, and his development was initially slow. However, his third season provided the breakthrough: Green averaged a career-high 9.1 points while shooting 40.2 percent from three and began looking like the two way wing he was meant to be. Green was traded to Charlotte in 2024 where he was a full time starter, but last season his usage was cut in half. Part of the four-team deal that dealt LaMelo Ball to Minnesota, Green has a new opportunity with the Timberwolves.
Matthew Hurt (F)
A 6'9" forward who led the ACC in scoring, Matthew Hurt looked next up out of Duke. Unfortunately, an abundance of players who fit his role made it hard for him to stick out. Matthew Hurt was one of the most talented scoring forwards in the 2019 class. A hometown phenom at John Marshall High School in Minnesota, Hurt averaged an outrageous 37.4 points and 12.4 rebounds as a senior. He was one of the best shooters in the class, possessed soft touch from the mid-post and could attack slower defenders off the dribble. Drawing comparisons to Tobias Harris and Aaron Gordon, the whole knock on his game was his strength and athleticism. Hurt’s arrival at Duke was solid: he averaged 9 points a game as a freshman, but as a sophomore, he blew up, averaging 18.3 points while shooting 50-40-80 splits, and earning Most Improved Player honors.
Hurt punished mismatches in the post, attacked closeouts and demonstrated three-level shooting. He produced like a first round talent, yet all 60 teams passed on him. Hurt eventually got his shot with the Memphis Grizzlies after three years of playing with the team's G-League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. He played eight NBA games and averaged four points and two rebounds, briefly accomplishing the dream that appeared to vanish on draft night. He's currently playing in Slovenia.
Tre Mann (G)
Tre Mann’s career has been a genuine roller coaster. He can score, but he still hasn't proven he can consistently carry an NBA offense. Tre Mann became must-see television at The Villages Charter School. A slender, slippery guard with deep shooting range and a lethal hesitation package, Mann averaged 23.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists as a senior and one of the country's premier guards. The scouting report described Mann as a quick, aggressive scorer with elite handles and limitless range. But he wasn't a facilitator and it couldn't really be determined which guard spot he should play. Mann remained close to home and committed to Florida, but his freshman season was a major disappointment. He averaged only 5.3 points and struggled to establish himself within the Gators’ rotation. Mann initially entered the 2020 NBA Draft before withdrawing, and it paid off huge.
He averaged 16 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists and was drafted 18th overall to the Thunder as part of their massive rebuild. His rookie season had elite flashes, including a 35 point explosion against the Celtics which was a Thunder rookie record. Unfortunately, the flashes never became consistent production. By his third season, he had practically disappeared from OKC's rotation and was subsequently traded to Charlotte, where he remains today. He averaged just 5 points per game last season in 53 games played, but with Charlotte in full rebuild mode, he could have a big opportunity next season.
Nico Mannion (G)
Nico Mannion looked destined to continue his family’s NBA legacy. Born in Siena, Italy, to former NBA guard Pace Mannion, Nico grew up in Arizona and became a statewide phenomenon at Pinnacle High School, averaging 30.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.8 steals as a senior while leading Pinnacle to consecutive state championships. He was an intelligent floor general who changed speeds, manipulated ball screens and delivered passes from difficult angles. Mannion stayed home and committed to Arizona alongside Josh Green, but his lone season didn't confirm the high school hype. He averaged 14 points and 5.3 assists but shot just 39% from the field.
Once considered a potential lottery prospect, Mannion fell to Golden State with the 48th selection in the 2020 NBA Draft. He spent his rookie season on a two-way contract, appearing in 30 games and averaging 4.1 points and 2.3 assists in just over 12 minutes while shooting 34.2% from the field. These numbers weren't exactly disastrous for a 19 year old kid, but they certainly weren't enough to force his way into a long-term role behind Stephen Curry. Still, he wasn't dropped from all league opportunities at 20, but elected for a larger pay by signing with the Italian Club Virtus Bologna, where he became a basketball royalty and a 2x Italian Cup champion in the blink of an eye.
Tyrese Maxey (G)
Tyrese Maxey is the greatest developmental success story on this list. The 6'3" combo guard was a monster at South Garland, a floater specialist with firecracker energy and a vivid smile that would eventually make him one of the NBA's most beloved personalities. Maxey averaged 22.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists as as senior, earning Texas Mr. Basketball honors. He wasn't an overwhelming athlete or floor general, but the appeal came from his speed, touch, defensive competitiveness and ability to score from awkward angles. Maxey committed to Kentucky, where he immediately demanded the spotlight, erupting for 26 points in his collegiate debut. His freshman season was tame: about 14 points a night on 29% from three; he slid to Philadelphia with the 21st pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
Philadelphia’s gamble quickly became one of the greatest draft steals in recent memory. Maxey began his career behind a squad of veterans and averaged just 8 points a night. The following year he exploded as a full time starter, averaging 17 points on a career best 48% from the field. By year three, he was a 20+ point per game nightly scorer and one of the most electrifying guards in the NBA. Following Harden's departure in 2023, Maxey stepped into the franchise player role, won the Most Improved Player Award in 2024 and is a two-time All Star.
Isaiah Mobley (F)
Isaiah Mobley’s story is inevitably tied to Evan, but he was a legitimate five-star prospect in his own right. Long before Evan Mobley became the Defensive Player of the Year, Isaiah Mobley was the first brother to put Rancho Christian on the national basketball map. Standing 6'9" with long arms, elite footwork and an unusually diverse offensive game, Isaiah could score inside, face up from the perimeter, handle the ball and facilitate for teammates. As a senior, he averaged 22 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and three blocks while leading Rancho Christian to a 26–6 record. He could punish smaller defenders in the post, score off the dribble and pass better than most players his size. Evan and Isaiah both committed to USC, but Isaiah’s development required considerably more patience. He averaged just 6 points and 5 rebounds per game his freshman year, improving to 9 points and 7 boards as a sophomore. He then took a big leap his junior year.
As the captain, Mobley averaged 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists, leading the Trojans in scoring, rebounding and blocks while finishing second on the team in assists. He still never managed to be an enticing NBA prospect. His versatility was attractive, but teams struggled to determine what would make him exceptional at the next level. Cleveland selected Mobley with the 49th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, reuniting him with Evan for the third stage of their basketball journey. However, the Cavs already had an established frontcourt with Evan and Jarrett Allen, leaving Isaiah on an iffy two-way contract. Over two seasons with Cleveland, he averaged a disappointing 2 points per game across just 22 games played. He's currently playing in Jerusalem alongside fellow All-American Josiah Jordan-James.
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (F)
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had extremely high praise coming out of high school, but he hasn't quite lived up to the five star hype he once projected. Before transferring to IMG alongside several other prospects on this list, the 6'9" forward had already established himself as one of the Midwest’s premier players at Bishop Miege High School, averaging 21.3 points and 8.1 rebounds, and winning a gold medal with USA's U18 basketball team. At IMG, Robinson-Earl joined a loaded frontcourt featuring Armando Bacot and played with strength and versatility. The scouting report described an unusually mature power forward who understood positioning, made quick decisions and rarely forced his shot. Robinson-Earl committed to Villanova, where he immediately delivered 24 points and 13 rebounds in his collegiate debut and finished his freshman season averaging 10.5 points and 9.4 rebounds.
In his sophomore season he took another jump, averaging 15 points and passing the ball more while still remaining a double-double threat. Robinson-Earl was selected 32nd overall by New York in the 2021 NBA Draft before being routed to Oklahoma City, and he started 36 games as a rookie, averaging 7 points. His role remained steady but by his second season, Oklahoma City’s endless supply of young prospects eventually pushed him out of its plans. The Thunder traded Robinson to Houston, where the released a week later. New Orleans rescued his career in 2024, where he started 66 games, but this was on one of the weakest teams in the NBA. Following short stints in Indiana and Dallas this season, Robinson-Earl signed a deal with Aris B.C. in Greece.
Oscar Tshiebwe (C)
Oscar Tshiebwe was the ultimate college basketball player. The problem was that the skills that made him unstoppable in amateur basketball didn't automatically solve the NBA's shooting demands. Born in Congo, Tshiebwe came to the U.S. and was a force of nature at Kennedy Catholic High School in Pennsylvania. The 6'8" bruiser was a natural talent, averaging 23.2 points as a senior and leading the school to a 27-3 record. Tshiebwe committed to West Virginia and immediately became one of the Big 12’s most productive interior players. As a freshman, he averaged 11.2 points and 9.3 rebounds, led the Mountaineers in both categories and earned Second-Team All-Big 12 and unanimous All-Freshman honors. After a less stable sophomore season, he transferred to Kentucky, his self-proclaimed "dream school". In his first year, Tshiebwe produced one of the most statistically absurd campaigns in the program's history, averaging 17 points and 15 rebounds per game.
Tshiebwe swept the Wooden, Naismith, Associated Press, NABC, Sporting News and Oscar Robertson national player-of-the-year awards, becoming the first unanimous National Player of the Year in Kentucky history to capture all six honors as the best player in the country. He returned for his senior season and became dominant, grabbing more rebounds than any other Wildcat in a two year span. The issue? He remained an undersized, below the rim player who's jumper didn't translate from high school to the pros. Tshiebwe was already 24 come draft time, but despite getting looked over, he found stints with Indiana and Utah. Despite a solid 7 points a night at the NBA level, the lack of shooting made it impossible for him to stick, though he continued to dominate in the G-League.
Kahlil Whitney (F)
Whitney's story is hard to stomach. He looked like the perfect NBA wing. At 6'6" with a strong frame, explosive athleticism and an aggressive scoring mentality, the Chicago native became a national prospect after transferring to Roselle Catholic in New Jersey. Whitney could overwhelm defenders in transition, rise above the rim and manufacture points from all three levels. He appeared to possess nearly every physical tool an NBA team could want from a young forward. The comparison was a bigger, more explosive version of Reggie Bullock: a powerful scoring wing who could eventually defend multiple positions. However, he couldn't pass, was turnover-prone, and still needed to tighten his handle. In high school, he could solve all his problems by being more athletic than everyone else. In college, he would have to survive through skill. Unfortunately, nothing clicked at Kentucky. Whitney started Kentucky’s first seven games but gradually lost his place in the rotation. He appeared in 18 games, averaging only 3.3 points and 1.7 rebounds while shooting 37% from the field.
The scoring wing who had looked so assertive at Roselle looked hesitant and uncomfortable. Whitney made a career defining moment by opting to declare for the NBA draft after his lone freshman season, despite his struggles. Leaving school after one unsuccessful have season was the dagger, but despite going undrafted, he signed an Exhibit 10 deal to Charlotte, but was waived after training camp. From there, his journey became global. From the G-League, to the DR, Croatia, Mexico, China and more, Kahlil has become an overseas journeyman.
Samuell Williamson (F)
Samuell Williamson was a highly touted scorer in high school but his collegiate career told all. He became a hometown phenom without ever leaving Rockwall, Texas. The smooth 6'7" wing averaged 23.3 points and 9.7 rebounds as a junior before increasing his production to 25 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists during his senior campaign. The guy had a monster mid-range jumper and was a proven scorer over smaller defenders. However, he was more smooth than explosive, and questions remained about his first step, ball-handling and whether his perimeter jumper would remain consistent against stronger competition. All questions were soon to be answered upon committing to LSU.
He opened his college career with 13 points and five rebounds against Miami, but struggled to establish himself the rest of the season. Williamson averaged only 4.4 points and 2.5 rebounds as a freshman, considerably below the expectations attached to one of the highest-ranked recruits in program history. His sophomore season appeared to signal a breakthrough. He became a regular starter and increased his averages to 9 points and 8 boards per game as a guard-forward. Unfortunately, that progress did not continue. Williamson’s role shrank during his junior year, when he averaged only 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds while starting six games. He transferred to SMU and became dependable yet again, but he never looked like an NBA prospect. After going undrafted in 2024, he signed with teams in both the Netherlands and Germany.
James Wiseman (C)
Wiseman is the perfect player to close with because no one’s career better demonstrates how quickly unlimited potential can become “what went wrong?” Arguably the most physically gifted player on this roster, his ceiling was considered so high that only three collegiate games were enough for the Warriors to select him second overall. But before James Wiseman became one of the most scrutinized draft picks of his generation, he was a teenage phenomenon in Tennessee. He averaged 25.8 points, 14.8 rebounds and 5.5 blocks as a senior, finishing as the consensus No. 1 prospect in his entire class. At approximately 7-foot-1 with extraordinary length, Wiseman could sprint the floor, finish lobs, erase shots and cover enormous amounts of ground. He also flashed a left-handed jumper and face-up game that encouraged scouts to imagine considerably more than a traditional rim-running center. The touch and coordination hinted at a franchise-altering big man.
Upon committing to Memphis, however, Wiseman was suspended because of an NCAA booster violation and never received a real opportunity to showcase his skill set against the country’s best competition. Still, across three games, he averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and three blocks while looking every bit like a future star. Golden State ultimately selected him ahead of LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Maxey, Deni Avdija, Desmond Bane and several other future standouts, but injuries completely decimated his career before it could properly begin. A torn meniscus erased his entire second season, and just when Indiana appeared prepared to offer him a fresh start, a torn Achilles ended his season after only a few minutes. Wiseman certainly struggled with defensive awareness, positioning, screening and processing the game at NBA speed, but he also entered the league with almost no college experience. Wiseman's only 25, but it feels like the NBA has slipped out of reach.
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Seven years ago, every player on this roster was viewed as one of the brightest young talents in basketball. But now you make the call. Whose career trajectory surprised you the most? Which former five-star prospect was the biggest disappointment?
Let us know your verdict, and be sure to come back next week as McDonald’s Monday travels another year back into the past.
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Thanks for reading!
-Joel Piton
(@jpiton7)