Four Catholic players, one coach among MAAG participants

The top high school basketball players in the country are in Chicago for the 33rd McDonald's All-American Game, and there is plenty of representation from players who hale from Catholic institutions.

Two of those players include University of Kentucky signees Michael Gilchrist (St. Patrick; Elizabeth, NJ) and Kyle Wiltjer (Jesuit; Portland, OR). Gene Pingatore, and the rest of the West Team coaching staff, also represent a Catholic school, as the group comes from St. Joseph High School in Westchester, IL.

Tonight's exhibition game, which will be played in the traditional East vs. West format, will also include a slam-dunk contest, a three-point shooting competition, and an overall timed-skills competition.

The boys game has been contested annually since 1978, and a high school girls game was added and has been played since 2002. 

The McDonald's All-American designation actually began in 1977 with the selection of the inaugural team. That year, the All-Americans played in an All-star game against a group of high school stars from the Washington D.C. area. The following year, the McDonald's game format of East vs. West was begun with a boys contest.

The McDonald's All-American Team is the best-known of the American high-school basketball All-American teams. Having the designation of McDonald's All-American instantly brands a player as one of the top high-school players in the United States. Selected athletes often go on to success in college basketball.

Every college team to win the NCAA men's championship since 1978 has had at least one McDonalds All-American on its roster, except for the 2002 Maryland Terrapins.

Proceeds from the annual games go to local Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC®) and their Ronald McDonald House® programs.

The players who were named McDonald's All-Americans from Catholic high schools are:

EAST TEAM

• Brad Beal, Chaminade High School (St. Louis, MO); will attend University of Florida
• Michael Gilchrist, St. Patrick (Elizabeth, NJ); will attend University of Kentucky

WEST TEAM

• Khem Birch, Notre Dame Prep (Fitchburg, MA); will attend University of Pittsburgh
• Kyle Wiltjer, Jesuit (Portland, OR); will attend University of Kentucky