High School Coaching Legend Morgan Wootten Names 2010 McDonald's All American(R) Players of the Year

OAK BROOK, Ill., March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's® along with Morgan Wootten, legendary coach and McDonald's All American® Games selection chair, named Harrison Barnes and Chiney Ogwumike winners of the 2010 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award for their accomplishments on and off the court.

Barnes, the 6-9, 210 lb. prep star from Ames High School, became the fourteenth-annual male Morgan Wootten Award winner. Previous winners include Kevin Love (2007), Dwight Howard (2004), LeBron James (2003), Jason Williams (1999) and the Award's first recipient Shane Battier (1997). Barnes beat out finalists Kyrie Irving (St. Patrick High School – Elizabeth, N.J.), Perry Jones (Duncanville High School – Duncanville, Tex.), Brandon Knight (Pine Crest School – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Jared Sullinger (Northland High School – Columbus, Ohio) and Tristan Thompson (Findlay Prep – Henderson, Nev.).

Ogwumike, the three-year all-state selection from Cy-Fair High School in Cypress, Texas, is the ninth annual female winner, joining Maya Moore (2007), Tina Charles (2006), Candace Parker (2004) and Ivory Latta (2003). Ogwumike won the honor over Bria Hartley (North Babylon High School – North Babylon, N.Y.), Kaneisha Horn (Ramsay High School – Birmingham, Ala.), Natasha Howard (Toledo Waite High School – Toledo, Ohio) and Odyssey Sims (Irving MacArthur High School – Irving, Tex.).

The Morgan Wootten Award is given to the best male and female McDonald's All American players who exemplify outstanding character, exhibit leadership and embody the values of being a student-athlete in the classroom and the community. McDonald's established the Award in Wootten's name to pay tribute to his unprecedented achievements as a teacher and coach. The official presentation will take place at the McDonald's All American Games awards banquet, March 30 in Columbus, Ohio.

Barnes is ranked among the top players in the 2010 class and is a candidate for the ESPN RISE Mr. Basketball USA recognition. He is a decorated athlete who helped his team to a 26-0 record and state championship in 2009. When he's not playing basketball, Barnes is involved in DECA (Marketing, Management, Entrepreneurship Club) and Students Helping Eliminate Poverty and Hunger (SHEPH). He also participated in the 2009 Mid-Iowa Community Action Agency Food Drive, serves as an algebra tutor and leads a weekly Bible study. Barnes will suit up for North Carolina in the fall.

"I am humbled and honored to be the recipient of the prestigious Morgan Wootten Award as the 2010 McDonald's National High School Player of the Year," said Barnes. "I feel blessed that my name will be linked with everything this award embodies."

Ogwumike is the top-ranked female player in the 2010 class and a 2008 state championship highlights her many on-court accolades. Off the court, she organized a charity dance event that raised money to help stop child abuse, volunteers for Cypress Assistance Ministries, as well as her church. Ogwumike will attend Stanford in the fall.

"I am extremely honored and grateful to receive this recognition," said Ogwumike. "I'm indebted to everyone who had faith in me to get to this point -- from my coaches and teammates to my family, friends and school. My entire basketball experience has been amazing, bringing discipline and leadership into my life."

The 2010 McDonald's All American Basketball Games will be played March 31 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The Girls Game begins at 5:30 p.m. ET, and will broadcast live on ESPNU. The Boys Game will tip-off at 8:00 p.m. ET, and will broadcast live on ESPN.

Proceeds from the 2010 McDonald's All American High School Basketball Games will go to Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of Central Ohio. Millions of dollars have been raised since the first Game was played in 1978.

Every athlete who participates in the McDonald's All American Games will visit the host city's local RMHC Chapter to experience first-hand how the Games impact the local community. For more information on the McDonald's All American Games, RMHC or the McDonald's All American Advisory Council, please visit: www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com or http://mcdepk.com/2010allamericangames.

About Coach Wootten

During Wootten's 43-year career as head basketball coach at DeMatha High School in Hyattsville, Md., he earned a reputation for being an excellent basketball coach and mentor. In addition to his five national high school championship titles and 33 conference championships, Wootten had the unique distinction of having every DeMatha senior player receive a four-year college scholarship during his final 30 years of coaching.  

Now retired, Wootten was the first basketball coach, at any level, to reach 1,200 wins. He is the author of numerous books and is a famed basketball speaker and mentor. Coach Wootten has served as head of the selection committee for the McDonald's All American Games since its inception in 1977.

About RMHC

Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most – right in their own communities. RMHC® makes an immediate, positive impact on children's lives through its global network of local Chapters in 52 countries and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®. RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $460 million in grants and program services to children's programs around the world. These programs and grants provide a bridge to accessible health care and allow families more time together, which helps in the healing process. For more information, visit http://rmhc.org.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome food made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,000 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.

© 2010 McDonald's  

SOURCE McDonald's