Both of the two recruits signed to play for head coach Tom Izzo and the MSU men's basketball team next season were named nominees to the 40th McDonald's All-American games. The duo, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman, are among 272 national athletes to be nominated.
On the women's basketball side, signee Sidney Cooks has been selected as a nominee for the 16th McDonald's All-American game.
The final roster for the event will be announced Jan. 15 on ESPNU, where they will be picking 24 boys and 24 girls live.
ICYMI: MSU Women’s Basketball Signee @Simple_Hooper Nominated for McDonald’s All-American Gamehttps://t.co/Hgxpl1mXm1 pic.twitter.com/R29EHG2Wdz
— Spartan Basketball (@MSU_WBasketball) January 11, 2017
Both Jackson Jr. and Tillman are expected to be forwards for Izzo come next season. Jackson Jr. is a 6-foot-10 power forward, currently playing for La Lumiere in LaPorte, Ind. Tillman, on the other hand, is a 6-foot-9 power forward who is currently ranked asone of the top prospects in Michigan.
Cooks is a 6-foot-4 forward in her final year at St. Joseph Catholic in Kenosha, Wis. She's currently nationally ranked No. 5 overall and No. 2 for her position, according to ESPN HoopGurlz. Last season, Cooks surpassed the 1,000 points mark after having a 20-point game. As a junior she was named to the AP first-team All-State and USA Today first-team All-Wisconsin. Cooks also received honorable mention WBCA Division 4 All-State in 2015.
The 2017 McDonald's All-American Games will be played on March 29. The 40th annual boys game will air on ESPN while the 16th annual girls game will air on ESPNU. The games will be held in Chicago, Ill. at the United Center.
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