Morgan Wootten Names 2015 McDonald's All American Players of the Year

OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwired - Mar 10, 2015) - The McDonald's All American Games and Hall of Fame Coach and Selection Committee Chair, Morgan Wootten, announced Ben Simmons and Katie Lou Samuelson as winners of the 2015 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award today for their accomplishments on and off the court.

The Morgan Wootten Award is given annually to the best male and female McDonald's All American players who exemplify outstanding character, exhibit leadership and embody the values of being a student-athlete in the classroom and the community. McDonald's established the award in Wootten's honor to pay tribute to his unprecedented achievements as a teacher and coach.

Simmons, a 6-foot-9, 225 pound power forward at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida is the second player from a Florida high school to win the male Morgan Wootten Award following Austin Rivers' win in 2011. He is the 19th overall winner of the award, joining the likes of previous recipients including Jahlil Okafor (2014), Jabari Parker (2013), Harrison Barnes (2010), Greg Monroe (2009), Kevin Love (2007), Dwight Howard (2004), LeBron James (2003), Jay Williams (1999) and the award's first recipient, Shane Battier (1997). Simmons beat out finalists Isaiah Briscoe (Roselle Catholic High School - Roselle, New Jersey), Jaylen Brown (Wheeler High School - Marietta, Georgia), Jalen Brunson (Adlai E. Stevenson High School - Lincolnshire, Illinois), Malik Newman (Callaway High School - Jackson, Mississippi) and Stephen Zimmerman Jr. (Bishop Gorman High School - Las Vegas, Nevada).

Samuelson is a 6-foot-3 standout wing from Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. She is the first female player from California to earn the award and the 14th overall female winner, joining the ranks of Taya Reimer (2013), Breanna Stewart (2012), Elena Delle Donne (2008), Maya Moore (2007), Tina Charles (2006), Candace Parker (2004) and Ivory Latta (2003) among others. Samuelson takes home the honor over finalists De'Janae Boykin (Charles H. Flowers High School - Springdale, Maryland), Kalani Brown (Salmen High School - Slidell, Louisiana), Naphessa Collier (Incarnate Word Academy - St. Louis, Missouri), Asia Durr (St. Pius X Catholic High School - Atlanta, Georgia) and Arike Ogunbowale (Divine Savior Holy Angels High School - Milwaukee, Wisconsin).