Friday, February 11, 2011

Gators signee Bradley Beal named McDonald’s All-American

Florida signee Bradley Beal was named a McDonald’s All-American on Thursday when rosters for the March 30 all-star game were announced.

A 6-foot-5 guard from Chaminade College Prep in St. Louis, Beal signed with the Gators in November after being named the MVP of the U17 FIBA World Championship last summer.

The Gatorade Player of the Year in Missouri last season, Beal is putting up more eye-popping numbers this season. He’s averaging 32.4 points per game for unbeaten Chaminade (21-0), which ranks No. 18 in USA Today’s Super 25 national rankings.

ESPN and Rivals.com rank Beal as the seventh-best prospect in the country, while Scout.com ranks him eighth.

Beal will be one of four former McDonald’s All-Americans on the Gators roster next year. Sophomore Kenny Boynton and freshman Patric Young both played in the game as well as Mike Rosario, who will be a redshirt junior next season. He sat this season out after transferring from Rutgers. Center Vernon Macklin also played in the game, but is a senior.

Duke coach Mike Krzyzweski has signed the most McDonald’s All-Americans, with 41 according to ESPN’s Dave Telep. North Carolina’s Roy Williams ranks second with 33, and Florida’s Billy Donovan is in a four-way tie with 13.

The McDonald’s All-American Game will be played at the United Center in Chicago on March 30 at 9 p.m. and air on ESPN.