McDonald’s All American Game roundup: Oubre, Alexander and Turner

By Staff Apr 3, 2014

McDonald's West All-American Kelly Oubre, left, goes up for a dunk but is fouled by McDonald's East All-American Cliff Alexander during the second half of the McDonald's All-American boy's basketball game Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in Chicago . The West won 105-102.

All-star basketball games have the reputation of turning into open-court affairs in which defense is an afterthought and nonchalantness rules the day.

So the best you can hope for is a tight game in the final minutes. That assures some true competitiveness will be on display.

As it turned out, that’s exactly what the 2014 McDonald’s All American Game provided Wednesday night at Chicago’s United Center.

And two future Kansas University basketball players, signees Kelly Oubre Jr. of the West, and the East’s Cliff Alexander, went right at each other — in mid-air — on the play that would help decide the game.

The West prevailed, 105-102, after Oubre attacked the rim and drew a foul on Alexander in the final minute.

Cliff Alexander, a 6-foot-9 post player out of Curie Metro High, in Chicago, gets his hand on a rebound at the McDonald's All American Game Wednesday at Chicago's United Center. Alexander finished with nine points and 11 rebounds in his East team's 105-102 loss.

Oubre, a 6-foot-7 wing from Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev., hit two free throws with 19.1 seconds left to boost a 103-102 lead to the final margin.

Alexander, who played with his right wrist taped, scored nine points off 4-of-11 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds. He also had an assist and a block in 25 minutes.

Read the full story:

KU-bound Oubre hits late FTs in McDonald’s game

Kelly Oubre Jr., a 6-foot-7 swingman from Richmond, Texas, defends the East's Theo Pinson during the McDonald's All American Game Wednesday in Chicago. Oubre's West team won the all-star game, 105-102.

Below are some of the game’s highlights from MaxPreps High School Sports. Alexander wore No. 11 in red for the East, Oubre was No. 12 in black for the West and KU recruiting target Myles Turner wore No. 35 on the East squad.

You can watch Alexander attack the offensive glass at the 2:10 mark.

We learned a lot about Alexander, Oubre and Turner in the past few days. In case you missed the stories on the two future Jayhawks and their potential future teammate, we’ve bundled them all together here for you, along with some high school highlights of the McDonald’s All Americans.

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Myles Turner, a 7-foot center from Trinity High, in Bedford, Texas, and the only uncommitted player participating in the McDonald's All-American game, takes a jump-hook during practice on Sunday in Chicago — three days before the McDonald's All American Game.

Cliff Alexander
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Even before he ceremoniously grabbed an Illinois hat off a table, then dropped it and declared himself a Jayhawk, Cliff Alexander spoke openly about his one-and-done intention to help his family financially.

On the same day Kansas University freshman Andrew Wiggins declared himself eligible for the NBA Draft, the next big thing changed his tune following McDonald’s All-American Games practice Monday morning.

“I wouldn’t mind staying two years,” Alexander said.

Read the full story: [KU signee Cliff Alexander in no rush to go pro][1]

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Kelly Oubre Jr.
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Kelly Oubre Jr., the kid Kansas University is counting on to replace Andrew Wiggins on the wing next season, said the move from Texas to Vegas benefitted him as a player and a person.

“I don’t want to limit myself,” Oubre said. “I want to further my game and challenge myself from a competitive standpoint. We played the best competition every night and did a lot of traveling, got to see the world. More experiences, more maturity and being on my own away from my family is going to help me get ready for college.”

Read the full story:

Waiting in the wings: Kansas signee Kelly Oubre says move to Vegas beneficial

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Myles Turner
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Myles Turner has heard the talk that his college choices are down to Kansas University or Texas.

It did not originate from Myles Turner, nor, the highly ranked basketball recruit said, any representatives of Myles Turner.

“There are three people in my circle and I keep it real tight,” Turner said, referring to himself and his parents. “Alternative sources, you never know what they might want out of it or who they know or what their ulterior motives are. Keeping a tight circle is very key in this whole process.”

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