OAK BROOK, Ill. (March 19, 2008) – Greg Monroe, the 6-10, 220 lb. prep superstar from Helen Cox High School in Gretna, La., was named the twelfth-annual Morgan Wootten Award winner today. Previous winners include Greg Oden (2006), Dwight Howard (2004), LeBron James (2003), Jason Williams (1999) and the Award’s first recipient Shane Battier (1997).
Joining Monroe in the honor is McDonald’s All American® Female Player of the Year, Elena Delle Donne, from Ursuline Academy in Greenville, Del. Delle Donne, who has led Ursuline to four straight Delaware State Championship Titles is the seventh female to be added to the impressive list that includes Tina Charles (2006, Connecticut), Abby Waner (2005, Duke), Candace Parker (2004, Tennessee), Ivory Latta (2003, UNC) and Nicole Wolff (2002, Connecticut).
The Morgan Wootten Award is given to the McDonald’s All American players who exemplify outstanding character, exhibit leadership and embody the values of being a student-athlete in both schoolwork and community service activities.McDonald’s® established the Award in Wootten’s name to pay tribute to his unprecedented achievements as a teacher and a coach. The official presentation will take place at the McDonald’s All American Games awards banquet on March 25 inMilwaukee, Wis.
Described as humble and reserved, Monroe is an honor student at Helen Cox High School, and when he’s not playing basketball, he spends his time participating in the Black History Club and admiring former McDonald’s All American Kevin Garnett. Outside of the classroom and leisure activities, Monroe assumes the title of the No. 1 high school player in the class of 2008, according to Rivals.com and Scout.com.
Monroe has been named Mr. Basketball in Louisiana for the past two years and recently led Helen Cox to a 2008 state title, contributing 27 of the team’s 75 points in the championship game.
“It is an honor to be named the McDonald’s All American Game® Player of the Year,” said Monroe. “It’s always been one of my goals to make it to the McDonald’s All American team so I’m extremely excited and am looking forward to Game week.”
While Delle Donne has proven she is a basketball and volleyball star, she’s a champion off of the court as well, spending her spare time achieving academic honors and giving back to her community. Delle Donne is part of the National Honor Society, volunteers for special needs children and also helps run basketball clinics for younger athletes. Delle Donne is most looking forward to the McDonald’s All American Games because of the admiration that comes with playing with so many amazing athletes on the same court.
“I am thrilled to be recognized by Coach Wootten and the McDonald’s All American Games for all of my hard work on the court,” said Delle Donne. “Being named the Player of the Year among such great talent is a dream come true.”
Monroe and Delle Donne are two of only 48 high school seniors selected to play in the 31st annual McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Games, which takes place at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wis. on Wednesday, March 26. The Boys Game takes begins at 9:30 p.m. (EDT) and airs live on ESPN. The Girls Game precedes the Boys’ at 7:00 p.m. (EDT) and will air live on ESPNU.
Monroe and Delle Donne will head to top ranked Universities after graduation. Monroe has committed to Georgetown and Delle Donne to Connecticut.
The McDonald’s All American Games are about more than just basketball. Each year, proceeds raised from the Games benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) and their local Chapters across the country. Proceeds from the 2008 Games will go to RMHC of Eastern Wisconsin. To date, the McDonald’s All American Games have raised millions of dollars for RMHC and its local Chapters.
For more information on the McDonald’s All American Games, please visit: www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com orwww.mcdepk.com/2008allamericangame/.
