Boys’ basketball: Gary McKnight says he’s shocked

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Asked about the decision of the McDonald’s All-American Game selection team not selecting a single boys’ player from California for its game, Santa Ana Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight said, ‘I’m kind of shocked.’

It might be the first time since McDonald’s All-Americans were first selected in 1977 that California is not represented on the team. The game, scheduled for March 31, has been played since 1978. Founder Bob Geoghan said his research indicates players from California had been chosen every year from 1994 through last season, but he needed to do further research.

This year’s team was announced Thursday.

‘You mean someone from Southern California is not good enough to make the McDonald’s Game? It shocks me,’ McKnight said.

McKnight has three seniors headed to Pacific 10 Conference schools -- Tyler Lamb to UCLA, Keala King to Arizona State and Gary Franklin Jr. to California.

-- Eric Sondheimer