1981 McDonald's High School All-American Game (Lost All-Star High School Basketball Game, 1981)

1981 McDonald's High School All-American Game

Status: Lost

The 1981 High School McDonald's All-American Game was the fourth annual event showcasing the top high school basketball talent in the United States. Held on April 11, 1981, at the Levitt Arena in Wichita, Kansas, this game featured future college and NBA stars.

Team

The East team defeated the West team with a score of 96-95 in a thrilling match. Adrian Branch, who later played for the University of Maryland and had a stint in the NBA, was named the MVP of the game. Notable players in the game included future NBA stars Patrick Ewing and Michael Jordan. Ewing, known for his dominant presence as a center, went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the New York Knicks, while Jordan, who only scored 11 points in the game, became one of the greatest basketball players of all time with the Chicago Bulls.

The game was a close contest throughout, with both teams displaying a high level of skill and athleticism. The McDonald's All-American Game has continued to be a significant event for high school basketball, often serving as a predictor for future basketball stardom.

Michael Jordan

The only known footage of the 1981 High School McDonald's All-American Game is from a 1983-04 ESPN Program called "College Player Of the Year" The program listed the candidates for ESPN's first annual (1983-04) "College Player Of The Year" where it listed the best college basketball players at the time and gave each player a backstory. The footage of the 1981 High School McDonald's All-American Game starts at 22:45 when they show Michael Jordan playing in the game. 1983-04 "College Basketball Player of the Year" ESPN

Michael Jordan Receiving Jersey

Michael Jordan

In the 1981 McDonald's All-American Game, Michael Jordan, playing for the East team, scored 11 points. Although he did not win the MVP award, his performance was notable. Jordan showcased his scoring ability and athleticism, contributing effectively to the East team's effort. His game was marked by strong offensive plays and glimpses of the exceptional talent that would later define his legendary NBA career. The game provided an early opportunity for Jordan to demonstrate his potential, which he would fully realize in the professional league, where he became one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Michael Jordan In Jersey

1981 McDonald's High School All-American Game Players

1981 McDonald's All-American Game - East Team

! Player !! College !! NBA !! Points Scored !! MVP

| Adrian Branch || University of Maryland || Los Angeles Lakers, others || 24 || Yes

| Patrick Ewing || Georgetown University || New York Knicks || 16 || No

| Chris Brust || University of North Carolina || Did not play in the NBA || 5 || No

| Stewart Granger || Villanova University || Cleveland Cavaliers, others || 8 || No

| Michael Jordan || University of North Carolina || Chicago Bulls || 11 || No

| Bruce Douglas || University of Illinois || Did not play in the NBA || 0 || No

| Othell Wilson || University of Virginia || Sacramento Kings || 4 || No

| Tim Thomas || Lamar University || Did not play in the NBA || 4 || No

| Milt Wagner || University of Louisville || Los Angeles Lakers, others || 4 || No

| Kenny Hutchinson || University of Arkansas-Little Rock || Did not play in the NBA || 4 || No

| Aubrey Sherrod || Wichita State University || Did not play in the NBA || 8 || No

1981 McDonald's All-American Game - West Team

! Player !! College !! NBA !! Points Scored !! MVP

| Bryan Martin || UCLA || Did not play in the NBA || 4 || No

| Michael Payne || University of Iowa || Atlanta Hawks (briefly) || 4 || No

| Ralph Jackson || UCLA || Did not play in the NBA || 5 || No

| Michael McGee || University of Michigan || Los Angeles Lakers, others || 14 || No

| Ricky Mixon || Southern Methodist University || Did not play in the NBA || 6 || No

| Mark Acres || Oral Roberts University || Boston Celtics, others || 12 || No

| Jeff Adkins || University of Maryland || Did not play in the NBA || 6 || No

| Phil Collins || University of Arizona || Did not play in the NBA || 8 || No

| David Koehler || Iowa State University || Did not play in the NBA || 10 || No

| Efrem Winters || University of Illinois || Did not play in the NBA || 8 || No

| Ron Rowan || St. John's University || Did not play in the NBA || 2 || No

• • Sources**:

- "McDonald's All-American Game History" on [Basketball Reference](https://www.basketball-reference.com). - "The McDonald's All-American Game: A History of the Greatest High School Basketball Game" on [Bleacher Report](https://bleacherreport.com).