What Happened to Every 1979 McDonald's All American

[@carseye1219]

It's a shame that some all-time greats are almost forgotten. I mentioned Worthy and Dominique to a group that skewed younger than me and the names didn't register with these guys. Btw, everyone remembers Jordan's shot to win the '82 NCAA title but Michael wasn't yet Michael, and James was "the man" with that Tar Heel team. Even as athletes get better every year, Dominque's highlights still ring spectacular.

[@anthonytaylor7928]

If Michael wasn't Micheal then who was he?

[@dmarcus42]

I came out of that class and played against some of those players. I had no idea that many stars came out that year until a couple of years ago (before the age of the internet). We got our news from Street and Smith Magazine.

[@missayawk]

Remember Ralph Sampson picture with that Blue Streak jersey tallest HS player I had ever seen up to that point.

[@chesterhayes2044]

Man I lived for that Street and Smith magazine to come out with its basketball issue. I would read it over and over! 😂

[@ShawnC.T.]

This is my favorite McDonald's All American team class ever. This assortment of players is loaded with 🏀 legends...

[@liaml69]

I think James Worthy was born with a beard.

[@missayawk]

The only player Dean Smith let play with a beard because I think he had pseudo folliculitis barbae. Us military dudes know what that is.

[@Shedrack-tt9rv]

😂

[@Shedrack-tt9rv]

😂

[@dsanchez9703]

😂

[@shermanmiller3203]

That’s funny

[@vernwendt2455]

Indeed, the most talented class of all time! Not to be forgotten from this same class is Melvin "Sugar" McLaughlin from Grand Rapids (MI) Creston High School and remains the all-time leading scorer at Central Michigan. At the BC camp in the summer of 1978, "Sugar" put on a show - averaging nearly 50 points a game and leading his team to the championship - if they would have had the three-point play in his day, he'd be a household name by now instead of a more of a local legend. He's still doing his thing in GR, running Sugar Mel's All-Star Basketball Camp in the summer months. and shooting long-range jumpers at the local gyms and parks in GR - showing the younger generation how to play ball. Ask anyone, including Glen Rice, Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, etc., whose played with or against "Sugar". I was honored to write his story in a book: "The Basketball Life and Legacy of Melvin 'Sugar' McLaughlin. Thanks for allowing me to share. Keep up the good work!

[@RickyFrech404]

Love this insight!

[@missayawk]

Wow !!! I thought I knew my history, but I never heard of him. Thanks for enlightening me.

[@vernwendt2455]

Here's a video of Sugar (#1) playing in a local All-Star game (at 33 years)- from around 1:00 minute on you can get a climpse of his shooting range: kzbin.info/www/bejne/amnanJiqZ7Sje8U

[@jamesjohnson9348]

Thanks, my man. That class was so deep you could do an hour video. The greatest high school class of all time.

[@chambda]

I agree 100%!

[@localone1597]

Great video! It brings back great memories. That high school class was amazing!

[@Biggdoom344]

Sam Bowie was a force before he broke his leg. Clark Kellogg was also a dog before injuries

[@Purpledawg-d9s]

Sam Bowie was ok but he certainly wasn’t what you’d call a beast

[@Biggdoom344]

@@Purpledawg-d9s before he broke his leg the first time..definitely. If he had come out his sophomore year..he would have been the #1 pick. He missed two years then came back and was still a top 5 pick.

[@Purpledawg-d9s]

And it would have been a wasted pick. I saw almost every game bowie played at kentucky and he was ok. If he hit his first deep ball he’d spend the rest of the game launching them up…and missing most of them. His teammate, Melvin Turpin, was the real deal for them. He even gave The Round Mound of Rebound a good go. Too bad he ate himself out of the nba.

[@Belburg]

@@Purpledawg-d9s But was Turpin better than Bowie?

[@Riles3152]

All-time great McDonalds All-American class

[@007ndc]

Poor Teddy Grubbs go off the path after a fast start. I remember that as a freshman at DePaul he went for 28 and 12 against UCLA

[@missayawk]

I think Grubbs ended up with mental issues....possibly depression.

[@danielcorreard3746]

i played against rodney mccray in the newyork state championship game in high school what a great player was we lost the game but it was still one of the highlights of my high school career.

[@petergomez7490]

"Scooter"?

[@danielcorreard3746]

@@petergomez7490 i played against Rodney scooter was his older brother

[@Chck314]

I love these videos, I grew up with these guys. I used to buy all the college basketball magazines back then. I hope you are doing 1980 soon. Thanks for the memories. Sad that so many of these players struggled with addiction,

[@RickyFrech404]

Working on the 1980 this weekend, so hopefully have it posted sometime next week

[@missayawk]

That 1980 was a big let down after this class. I think the top guy was Russell Cross ( 😳)

[@ChevonneReynolds]

These videos bring back so many memories! Please keep these coming!

[@sirdrdunk]

Side note Quinton Dailey at that time was considered the greatest High School Player to come out of Baltimore. Dominque Wilkins also lived in Baltimore for small period of time not sure if he played ball in high school butcwas known on the playgrounds Dunbar coach Bob Wade tried to convince his mom to let him stay and play she said no and moved to North Carolina

[@missayawk]

I was a sophomore in HS when this team came out and was the 1st year i started following HS basketball. I thought EVERY year was gonna be great like this but i was definitely wrong. In my opinion the greatest class ever.

[@samu-eljackson4211]

At some point, Worthy, Wilkins, and Jordan were in high school in NC at the same time. Wow.

[@RickyFrech404]

Wild!

[@missayawk]

But back then everybody looked at the big cities like NY, Philly, Chicago and L.A

[@samu-eljackson4211]

@@missayawk facts.

[@davidhubler9383]

111111111111111111​@@missayawk

[@007ndc]

Buck Williams too I think

[@007ndc]

Probably the greatest single high school class of men's basketball ever

[@zoeledwards6617]

I am glad KZbin algorithm made me watch this video because this is very interesting video and a topic not a lot channel have done before. You got my follow

[@RickyFrech404]

Thanks!

[@craigsiller5190]

This is awesome, what a wonderful series. I love it. Keep it up.

[@RickyFrech404]

Not planning to slow down anytime soon! Hopefully have 80 ready in a week or so (though they are getting longer because it's easier to find people haha)

[@Chck314]

can't wait!@@RickyFrech404

[@JerichoCastille]

The best high school class ever.

[@dwayneldavis9113]

THE GREATEST HIGH SCHOOL CLASS EVER 1979🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀

[@chicagobrother1970]

It makes absolutely no sense that Olajuwon and Sampson didn't win at least one title together.

[@jamesgraham3116]

Samson couldn't stay healthy, that's the only reason why.

[@TheEsquireOfSportsFSU]

Sure it does. How were they going to win? Olajuwon wasn't polished and Ralph slipped on the court in Denver, which began his downfall. They beat the Lakers yes, but that just strengthened their resolve. Even if he hadn't been traded, Rockets weren't beating Lakers OR Celtics.

[@TheEsquireOfSportsFSU]

Sure it does. How were they going to win? Olajuwon wasn't polished and Ralph slipped on the court in Denver, which began his downfall. They beat the Lakers yes, but that just strengthened their resolve. Even if he hadn't been traded, Rockets weren't beating Lakers OR Celtics.

[@MDAA313]

Ahsmwm Awesome; I look forward to this series. I know most of this, but was like a child in a candy store when I first saw this.

[@valtrus901]

Thank you for the information on Teddy Grubbs. Wondered for some time what happened to him after his DePaul stint, fading away due to some mental issues, as understood. Sad to learn that he passed. Yet, appreciate the update.

[@missayawk]

James Worthy and Bobby Jones aka White Lightning are the 2 best finishers on the break in basketball history.

[@sirjer73]

Carolina Blue, the both of them!!! Not to mention the Kangoroo kid Billy Cunningham, Micheal Jordan, Jerry Stackhouse and Vince Carter@!!

[@lavellsmith8613]

New subscriber 💯💯

[@DeCurtaRican]

Dan Bowie’s story is sad. he was really the first Greg Oden. He could ball out of control. His body just failed him.

[@peteholloway5473]

Greatest class of all time. Period

[@andrewblack1733]

I love this series!!!

[@ToddButcher-vt9jm]

Great video

[@jaspershim]

Incredible class

[@khemii1779]

Hands down THE BEST HS All AM team EVER! I mean Dominique Wilkins, Isaiah Thomas, Tony " Red" Bruin ( could jump out da gym) & played for a phenomenal HS basketball team, Mater Dei in NYC, Daren Daye, Clark Kellog, James Worthy, and the two towers of Power Sam Bowie & Ralph Sampson @ 7'1 & 7'4 respectively, Sid Green from Brooklyn, and on and on just the best

[@Kevin-l1j3u]

🎉 Greatest class of all time

[@TheEsquireOfSportsFSU]

These were the guys entering the league during my earliest NBA memories. Too young to remember them in college, but remember all the guys who actually played in the NBA. Worthy was the man when I was little in NC. Man once that hand went up on them fast breaks, it was over. Just go back up court.

[@anthonyjohnson9403]

That was a fun video to watch

[@anthonyjohnson9403]

If only Sam Bowie could have stayed healthy.

[@darrenneal7245]

This class is one year behind the 78 class ... All I can say is, WHAT a DIFFERENCE !!!

[@DeCurtaRican]

*Notable Names* Dominique Wilkins, Byron Scott, James Worthy, Sam Bowie, Isiah Thomas, Sidney Lowe, Derrick Wittenberg, John Paxon Wasn’t it a wrist injury that forced Isiah’s retirement? And didn’t he say he could’ve played on and wished he had? Paxon played with my guy Joe Buchanan (Seattle, O’Dea HS). I’m surprised Dominique Wilkins’ teammate Gerald Marbury (older brother of Stephon) wasn’t a McDonalds All-American. Btw, his choosing Georgia over UNC reeks of payoff! He could’ve been on a squad with MJ, Perkins, Worthy, Dougherty, and J. Black. Imagine ‘Nique with those guys, and then Dean Smith hearing about Olajuwon and recruiting him to UNC with MJ is n 1981. Every southern coach threw a fit when Houston got (then) Akeem Olajuwon and ostensibly sneaked him in without their scouts knowing about him, and he nearly wound up at Providence! Another huge miss: Clyde Drexler in 1979 who was underrated and should’ve been an All-American coming out of high school. He’s another guy who might have strongly considered UNC if he had been recruited there. MJ Dominique Worthy Perkins Drexler Olajuwon Would’ve easily been the greatest college squad ever…completely untouchable.

[@Darrin-h1l]

Class of hall of famers

[@Belburg]

Dominique originally chose NC State, and the people in his community turned against him for going to Georgia. Had to leave in the middle of the night to get to Georgia. Interesting 30 for 30 from ESPN on it.

[@PowidzMalwa]

I have always searched KZbin unsuccessfully for actual highlights of the 79 McDonald's game played in Charlotte. They dont seem to exist.

[@RickyFrech404]

If memory serves, they weren't televised until 85ish, so there's no footage (though I could be wrong and maybe someone filmed it not for TV?)

[@MDAA313]

I have found KZbin videos beginning from 1983 - 2024. The only years I could not find are the following: 2001, 2002, 2017, 2020/2021 (no games). I am looking for the 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 games.

[@RickyFrech404]

@@MDAA313 Yeah, I don't know if that footage exists, though I would love to be proven wrong so I could go back to these and add highlights of some of the guys who didn't make it

[@MDAA313]

@@RickyFrech404 Not sure why 2001, 2002, 2017 don't exist! Anyway, great job! Suggestion: add the original photo from SI/Ebony in your video.

[@007ndc]

I think Darren Daye was the MVP

[@MaestroDawg65]

2:10 when you just have to bodycheck a cheerleader....

[@RickyFrech404]

😂😂😂

[@PowidzMalwa]

As a long time Tar Heel fan, I still to this day often what if the Heels had landed Ralph Sampson, who they were heavily in the mix for up to the very end to be paired with James Worthy in college. If I remember correctly Sampson was a very late commitment to UVA and had not announced his college choice even at the time the 79 McDonald's game was played. I could be wrong about that but think he came in uncommitted to that game. Obviously way before the internet but I remember as a 16 year old living in NC at the time the Sampson recruitment saga still got heavy, heavy, I mean real heavy press in the NC newspapers. It was a huge deal. Still to this day the only recruiting commitment live announcement that I had ever seen on live TV news break that I ever recall watching or even hearing about on live TV ever in my life. Worthy paired with Sampson would have resulted in the greatest era ever in UNC basketball ever, I still strongly believe that to this day.

[@RickyFrech404]

Sampson, Worthy, MJ, and Perkins would be unfair. If they somehow convince Worthy to stay for the 83 and add freshman Brad Daugherty to that team...goodness...

[@PowidzMalwa]

@RickyFrech404 Its been said that Perkins would not have signed with UNC had Sampson committed a year earlier. As much as I live Sam, Worthy with Sampson in college would have taken UNC on a 2, 3 year span of NCAA titles, depending on who stayed, left early. As it is I can't complain because Worthy/Perkins brought 2 consecutive title game appearances

[@PowidzMalwa]

@RickyFrech404 And if I remember correctly there was a news break for the Ralph Sampson commitment announcement on live TV during the afternoon on all major NC TV stations on a weekday. They interrupted regular schedule programming ( Soap Operas) to air Ralph Sampson announcing his college choice even in NC. He didn't commit during half time of an all star game that was already being aired on TV. The broke regular scheduled daytime TV to air his commitment announcement. Something I had never seen before or since. He was a gigantic recruit and it got major attention not seen before or since. But when the announcement press conference aired he clearly stated that his final choice had come down to UVA and Kentucky where everyone going in to the press conference had said it was between UVA and UNC. I remember being devastated as a UNC fan clearly. It worked out well for UNC during the Sampson years but UNC with Sampson would have been absolutely unbeatable.

[@RickyFrech404]

@@PowidzMalwa haha, yeah, you're probably right on that, but it's fun to dream!

[@RickyFrech404]

@@PowidzMalwa This is great. Reminds me a bit of LeBron's Decision in a way

[@123slasher.16]

Think about this, in this class there were 2 legends that won NCAA titles, back to back NBA titles, Final Four MOP Awards and NBA Finals MVP Awards. Both were voted 50 Greatest Players ever. That's Isiah Thomas and James Worthy. In fact Isiah Thomas win his Final Four MOP against Worthy and Worthy won his NBA Finals MVP against Isiah.

[@jazzsoul6067]

Correction. Thurl Bailey was not a jazz legend and actor. That would be 1982 McDonald's All American Wayman Tisdale. Tisdale was more successful in his music career than he was in his basketball career, which was good before injuries. He passed away of cancer

[@Bighjr88]

Dominque grew up in Baltimore than moved to Nc.

[@RickyFrech404]

haha yeah, I was just trying to have some fun with the "from Paris" part

[@Bighjr88]

@@RickyFrech404 👊🏽

[@norrissteve9239]

Great 👍🏿 class

[@ericevans995]

Damn three kids by 14

[@missayawk]

Must be a small town with not much to do ( 😳).

[@missayawk]

Three kids by 17-18 yrs old,!!!!!

[@123slasher.16]

This without a doubt is the greatest and most legendary class ever in the Micky D era.

[@thomasbridges7323]

Hey thanks a lot

[@lwmson]

I'm really looking forward to your video of the 1981 team. I always wondered whatever became of that SG from North Carolina's Lainey High School, Michael Jordan. Lol.

[@RickyFrech404]

Hmm, never heard of him!

[@missayawk]

Ironically MJ wasn't selected MVP although he was the first to score 30 pts in a McDonald's game a record that stood for about 19 years. Co- MVPs were Adrian Branch and Aubrey Sherrod ( 😮)

[@lwmson]

@@missayawk Are you sure about that? I know that Branch played for the D.C. all stars and they lost that game. Pat Ewing played for D.C. too, even though he was from Mass.

[@bnegs521]

2:13 😮 why was she taking this charge??

[@RickyFrech404]

😂😂😂

[@kenstevens7855]

I'll take a starting five of Isiah, Scott, Worthy, Wilkins, and Sampson with Paxson, Carr, Bowie, and Green coming off the bench.

[@kurtmagnus5243]

2:13 what the heck happened here?

[@RickyFrech404]

I think the other team had called a timeout and he just kept going. My memory is a little fuzzy from watching this clip, but I thought it was funny, so I put it in haha

[@kurtmagnus5243]

@@RickyFrech404 Are you trying to tell me that he didn’t see a whole cheerleader in front of him that he had to run into her? That’s nuts!

[@MDAA313]

Ahsmwm Someone please post the 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 2001, 2002, and 2017 Mcdonald's All American Men's games.

[@craigsiller5190]

And thank you.

[@terrancethomas9792]

Sidney Green’s son Taurean started and won two championships for Florida.

[@kincamell2]

Stellar

[@riverrat3101]

i knew worthy was going to be an nba hall of famer when he was still playing at north carolina alongside al wood. once he put that ball over his head, no one was going to stop him. he was my favorite player on the lakers, more so than magic or kareem.

[@missayawk]

Worthy was MAN his first game at UNC. Never played like a kid.

[@terrancethomas9792]

Nuggets loved Carolina players.

[@Marc-c5l]

Clark Kellogg

[@mbwell]

Not a single player from this class was a “One-and-Done”.

[@terrancethomas9792]

Antoine Carr played overseas before returning to Wichita State.

[@RaiderClarke312]

Like how Cheerleader took the "Charge" On Braddock.....

[@HenryBrown-n6i]

My starting 5 would be: F: Dominique Wilkins F: James Worthy C: Ralph Sampson G: Byron Scott G: Isaiah Thomas

[@leonjj39]

Best Class ever

[@WaitingforGodel]

This is why KZbin exists

[@Kevin-l1j3u]

Tony sky Bruin

[@lonniebaines1720]

SAM. B. WENT #1...HAKEEM #2...JORDAN #3

[@AnthonyAntolino]

Rodney McCray mount Vernon n y . Bigtime. Bowtie over Jordan. Like leaf over Payton. Red Bruins. A big bust.

[@OneManParade]

Correction. He lost to obama on purpose.

[@RickyFrech404]

😂