After Duke bowed out of both the women’s and men’s NCAA tournaments in the second round, fans across the country will be shifting their attention to the 2023-24 season. The first step: watching future Blue Devils shine in the annual McDonald’s All-American Games.
Hosted in Houston, this year’s boys game featured star power both on the court and off. Playing in front of a courtside LeBron James, incoming Duke freshmen Jared McCain, Mackenzie Mgbako and Sean Stewart performed alongside the nation’s best. Mgbako and Stewart’s East team took down McCain’s West team in thrilling fashion 109-106. Additionally, Stewart won the dunk contest and McCain won the 3-point contest the day prior.
To start the night, McCain flashed his inside scoring. The Centennial guard tallied four of the West’s early points, including a shifty up-and-under finish.
As the game wound to a close with the West down three, it was McCain who attempted the game-tying three that wouldn’t go. As the clock hit zeros, McCain ended with a respectable stat line of nine points, two assists and one rebound.
Entering as Duke’s highest-ranked recruit, Mgbako struggled to get his game going. The 6-foot-8 forward shot 0-for-2 from the field, ending with zero points alongside two rebounds and two assists. Although not a great showing for the No. 8 recruit, Mgbako’s play at Roselle Catholic earlier this year displayed his potential as a three-level scorer.
After a Powerade JamFest dunk contest championship, Stewart, the No. 12 recruit, scored six points on 3-of-8 shooting. Impressively, the forward also grabbed eight rebounds. As the 2023-24 season approaches, head coach Jon Scheyer will need Stewart to continue to crash the glass, especially if projected NBA draft pick Dereck Lively II departs from Durham this offseason.
Two highly touted Duke recruits, four-stars TJ Power and Caleb Foster, did not participate in the week’s festivities.
On the women’s side, No. 3 recruit Jadyn Donovan displayed all the potential needed for fans of head coach Kara Lawson’s squad to get excited. The 6-foot guard scored 12 points and brought in eight rebounds for team East in its 110-102 loss.
Touted as a relentless defender, Donovan flashed her speed and athleticism that will surely translate to Cameron Indoor Stadium in November. Further, Donovan’s finishing ability impressed, floating in the air for multiple layups from tough angles. Losing Shayeann Day-Wilson to the transfer portal, Donovan is looking like a crucial piece in Lawson's rotation.
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