March 28, 2006
ATLANTA – Incoming Georgia Tech freshmen Javaris Crittenton and Thaddeus Young will become the first pair of Yellow Jacket signees to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game since 1991 when they suit up for the East team Wednesday night in San Diego, Calif.
Crittenton, a 6-5 point guard from Atlanta, and Young, a 6-8 forward from Memphis, Tenn., are the cornerstones of a Tech recruiting class rank among the nation’s top 10 according to a consensus of recruiting services. They are the first Tech signees to be named McDonald’s All-Americans since Chris Bosh in 2001, and the first pair to play in the same McDonald’s All-American game since Travis Best and James Forrest in 1991.
Tech and Ohio State, with two each, and North Carolina, with three, have multiple signees participating in the game. Wednesday night’s contest will tip off at 10 p.m. Eastern time at Cox Arena at San Diego State University, and ESPN will televise the game nationally.
Crittenton, who averaged 29 points, seven rebounds and nine assists per game last season, led Southwest Atlanta Christian School the Georgia Class A state championship and a 28-5 record. He has been named Mr. Basketball in the state of Georgia by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is ranked by some scouting services as the nation’s best prep point guard.
Young, who averaged 25 points, 13 rebounds and six assists per game as a senior at Mitchell High School, led his team to the Class AA state finals this year before losing to Liberty High School. He is universally ranked among the nation’s top 10 high school players, regardless of position.
They will enroll at Tech in June along with 6-7 forward Zach Peacock of Miami, Fla., and 6-10 center Brad Sheehan of Latham, N.Y.
Georgia Tech Players in the McDonald’s All-American Game
Year Player (team) FG FT Pts1983 Bruce Dalrymple (East) 8-12 0-0 161984 Duane Ferrell (East) 5-9 3-4 131985 Tom Hammonds (East) 3-4 0-0 61986 Brian Oliver (East) 5-10 3-4 131987 Dennis Scott (East) 4-13 1-2 101989 Darryl Barnes (East) 0-3 0-0 01991 Travis Best (East) 4-5 0-0 11 James Forrest (East) 10-15 2-2 221992 Martice Moore (East) 3-7 0-0 61995 Stephon Marbury (East) 5-11 0-0 111996 Jason Collier (East)# 3-5 1-3 71997 Dion Glover (East) 5-9 4-6 152002 Chris Bosh (West) 5-7 4-7 14
*Kenny Anderson was named a McDonald’s All-American in 1989 but did not play in the game. #Jason Collier signed with Indiana, then transferred to Tech.
