Two Philadelphia Area Athletes Selected to Play in 2012 McDonald's All American® Basketball Games in Chicago

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The McDonald's® All American High School Basketball Selection Committee announced the 35th All American High School Basketball Boys Team and the 11th All American High School Basketball Girls Team during a February 9 selection show on ESPNU.  Of the 48 players selected from across the country, two are from the Greater Philadelphia Region.  Amile Jefferson of Friends Central High School in Wynnewood, PA was named to the Boys East Team and Kahleah Copper of Prep Charter High School in Philadelphia was named to the Girls East Team.

The 2012 All American Games will tip-off in Chicago on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, at the United Center.  The Girls Game begins at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU.  The Boys Game begins at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

"We are proud to support the achievements of Amile and Kahleah," said John Durante, President, McDonald's Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region Owner/Operator Association. "These young student-athletes are among the top basketball players in the country, and their efforts in Chicago will contribute to raising awareness of an important cause in Ronald McDonald House Charities."

Each year, net proceeds from the Games' ticket sales benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities, and to date, millions of dollars have been donated to help families in need. Every athlete who participates in the McDonald's All American Games visits the host city's local Ronald McDonald House Charities® Chapter during Game Week.

Prior to traveling to Chicago, the local finalists will be recognized during mini-press conferences at their alma mater elementary schools.  The student-athletes will answer questions from elementary students and compete in a trick shot contest to raise funds for the elementary school and the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House.

McDonald's selected the first McDonald's All American High School Team in 1977. In 1978, the inaugural McDonald's All American Game was played at The Spectrum in Philadelphia. Since then, more than 800 male players and 240 female players have competed in the McDonald's All American Games, forming an elite list of basketball stars. For more information, visit www.mcdaag.com.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. There are nearly 300 McDonald's restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia Region.  For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com or log on at any of the 10,000 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. Visit www.mcstate.com for local restaurant, career and program information.  Follow us on Twitter @McDPhilly for the latest news, info, events and promotions, and find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

© 2012 McDonald's

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SOURCE McDonald's