McDonald’s All American Games Announces The 2018 Morgan Wootten Player Of The Year Award Winners

OAK BROOK, Ill., March 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today seniors RJ Barrett and Christyn Williams were named the 2018 Morgan Wootten Players of the Year. McDonald’s established the award in 1997 to pay tribute to Wootten’s accomplished teaching and coaching career which landed him in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000. The two standout high school basketball stars and members of the McDonald’s All American Games 2018 class can now add another honor to their long list of accomplishments.

Barrett of Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, and Williams of Central Arkansas Christian School in North Little Rock, Arkansas, earned the award by displaying outstanding character, showing leadership and embodying the values of a student athlete.

“RJ and Christyn join a long list of previous Player of the Year winners that have displayed drive, commitment and dedication to achieve their goals in both academics and athletics,” said Wootten. “In a short period of time they have already made a tremendous impact on their communities and teammates, and I’m confident they’ll continue making a difference on the game.”

A Basketball Buddy with Heart and Smarts
At 6 feet, 7 inches tall, Barrett is ranked by ESPN as the top small forward in the nation and top overall player. He joins previous Morgan Wootten honorees including Lonzo Ball (2016), Ben Simmons (2015), Jabari Parker (2013), Kevin Love (2007), LeBron James (2003), Jay Williams (1999) and Shane Battier (1997).

Barrett has also earned accolades like the MVP distinction at the Basketball Without Borders Game during the NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans in 2017 and helped lead Canada’s under-19 squad to a semifinal win over the U.S. at the FIBA Basketball World Cup last year. Barrett signed a letter of intent to play basketball this fall at Duke University.

Barrett has proven his dedication to academics, displaying excellence across his challenging course load. Outside the classroom, he is an active member of the Basketball Buddies program at Montverde Academy, where he acts as a mentor and helps kids find proper basketball technique, officiates their games and encourages them to balance sports with school.

The Dean at Montverde Academy describes Barrett as a genuine student who brings brilliance and heart to everything he does. “I am immediately drawn to his genuine smile, the warmth that he has for others, and his ability to determine and recognize the right course of action,” Dean David Bernatavitz remarks in a nomination letter.