Baldwin picked for All American Games
Published 2:17 am Friday, January 25, 2019
River Baldwin is the only Alabamian who made the women’s roster for the 2019 McDonald’s All American Games.
The rosters were revealed Thursday on “The Jump.”
Baldwin said that being named to this team is unbelievable.
“I mean this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Baldwin said. “I honestly didn’t even expect to get picked.”
Baldwin said she is proud to represent Pleasant Home.
“It’s a small town and I’m the only one, so I hope to set a good example of sportsmanship,” Baldwin said. “Just being able to collaborate with people from all around the country is amazing.”
Baldwin said that she is looking forward to getting to know all of the girls playing alongside her.
“There are a couple that I don’t know,” Baldwin said. “And I’m also looking forward to catching up with the ones that I played with for team USA. There are about nine of them that I’m good friends with that I’ll get to meet back up with.”
Baldwin’s head coach, Tony Wilson, said that she is an exceptional athlete.
“She has got a lot of good qualities on and off the court,” Wilson said. “When it comes to the game, she can handle the ball, she can pass, she can shoot and get the rebound and she’s got all of that going for her. On top of that, she’s a great academic student. All around she just has a great personality, she loves the game, she loves these girls out here and she will be the first to tell you, she can’t do it by herself. She has a God-given talent and I’m extremely proud for her.”
Baldwin, who is a senior at Pleasant Home, has already committed to Florida State.
More than 800 top male and female high school basketball players from across the country were nominated for the two teams. Forty-eight were chosen to participate.
Zanlya Crawford of Park Crossing High School in Montgomery was the only other female nominated for the teams from Alabama. Trendon Watford of Mountain Brook High School was selected for the men’s team.
Since the Games’ inception in 1977, more than 1,300 players have joined the prestigious ranks of McDonald’s All Americans. These men and women form an elite group of some of the top names in basketball history including Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Candace Parker, Maya Moore, Elena Delle Donne and Breanna Stewart.
Each year, the Games benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) and its network of local Chapters. At RMHC, programs like the Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room provide comfort and compassion to families with sick children so they are fully supported and able to be a part of their children’s care.
The 2019 Games and halftime show are returning to Atlanta for the second year in a row on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks. The city previously hosted the 1983 and 1992 Boys Games and 2018 Games. The game will air on ESPN2.