McDonald’s is the perfect sponsor for the nation’s primer high school all-star game. The game excites with plenty of tasty morsels, but there’s also a lot of empty calories.
The 2026 McDonald’s All American game provided plenty of both.
Players sometimes too-eagerly called their own number. At other moments, many tried to force ambitious passes. And oftentimes, there could have been bit more discretion when launching 3-pointers. Still, there were more than enough moments that showed off the upside
promised by the players who will help define the future of both college, and WNBA, basketball.
While the West team led at halftime, the East pulled away at the end of the third quarter, setting them up to run away with the 91-71 win.
Here are three player who especially shined on the court in Glendale, AZ on Tuesday night.
Saniyah Hall (USC)
Hall, the No. 1-rated prospect in the class, seemed intent upon proving her status was deserved, and she largely succeeded.
The Ohio native suited up for the East team, earning MVP honors as she scored 21 points. Hall scored via drives to the basket, while also showing off her off-the-dribble 3-pointer.
In all likelihood, the Hall we see when she takes the court for USC alongside fellow and former No. 1-ranked prospects JuJu Watkins and Jazzy Davidson will look different, as she’ll be expected to play off Watkins and Davidson, rather than as the ball-in-her-hands primary option she operated as on Tuesday evening.
Kate Harpring (North Carolina)
Like her East teammate Hall, Harpring was not shy, not hesitating to try to take the ball to the hoop almost every time she had it in her hands.
It’s that mentality that led to the prolific scorer from Atlanta becoming the No. 4-ranked prospect in the class, as well as being named the Morgan Wooten Player of the Year.
Harpring also demonstrated her reputed toughness, returning to game even after suffering a painful shoulder injury. She ended the game with 14 points.
It’s easy to see how she’ll fit in at North Carolina, as head coach Courtney Banghart’s teams have been defined by grit and persistence.
Aaliah “Lizzy” Spaight (Texas)
In terms of aesthetics, it’s hard to not be intrigued by Spaight, the starting point guard for the West, who finished the game with 11 points.
Even in this all-star setting, the Las Vegas native’s comfort and composure with the ball in her hands stood out. The No. 20-rated recruit looked ready to run point for a team competing in the NCAA Tournament. On top of her point guard poise, she showed off a very sweet midrange jumper, using her handle to create the space needed to rise for buttery buckets from the foul line.
She seems perfectly suited to slide into the rotation for a super-talented Texas team alongside West teammates Brihanna Crittendon and Addison Bjorn.
