The Sports Guy

Of the 24 participants in this year’s McDonald’s All-American game in Miami, four will suit up for North Carolina next season.

The East team’s Dexter Strickland (6-foot-3 G, St. Patrick H.S., N.J.), accompanied by John Henson (6-10 F, Sickles H.S., Fla.), and twins David and Travis Wear (both 6-10 F, Mater Dei H.S., Calif.) of the West headline a 2009 class for UNC that now seems to rival UConn and Georgetown for all the height in America. The class — and not including those who aren’t All-Americans this year — will give the Heels six players who are at least 6-8 in 2010.

Wow.

Duke has two on this year’s teams — Ryan Kelly (6-10) of Raleigh Ravenscroft and Mason Plumlee (6-11) of Arden Christ School in Asheville — which will also give the Blue Devils six who are at least 6-8 next season.

But two of those are Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas…

Raleigh Word of God’s John Wall didn’t make it. Apparently when you repeat a grade (he’s a fifth-year senior), you lose your MAA status.

East Team

Kenny Boynton Jr. (6-3 G, American Heritage H.S., Fla.), committed to Florida
Dominic Cheek (6-6 G, St. Anthony H.S., N.J.), committed to Villanova
DeMarcus Cousins (6-11 C, LeFlore Magnet H.S., Ala.), undecided
Derrick Favors (6-9 F, South Atlanta H.S., Ga.), committed to Georgia Tech
Milton Jennings (6-9 F, Pinewood Prep, S.C.), committed to Clemson
Ryan Kelly (6-10 F, Raleigh Ravenscroft), committed to Duke
Alex Oriakhi (6-9 C, Tilton School, N.H.), committed to Connecticut
Peyton Siva (6-0 G, Franklin H.S., Wash.), committed to Louisville
Lance Stephenson (6-6 F, Abraham Lincoln H.S., N.Y.), undecided
Dexter Strickland (6-3 G, St. Patrick H.S., N.J.), committed to North Carolina
Dante Taylor (6-9 F, National Christian Academy, Md.), committed to Pittsburgh
Maalik Wayns (6-1 G, Roman Catholic H.S., Penn.), committed to Villanova

West Team

Avery Bradley (6-3 G, Findlay College Prep, Nev.), committed to Texas
Abdul Gaddy Jr. (6-3 G, Bellarmine Prep, Wash.), committed to Washington
Keith Gallon (6-9 C, Oak Hill Academy, Va.), committed to Oklahoma
Xavier Henry (6-6 G, Putnam City H.S., Okla.), committed to Memphis
John Henson (6-10 F, Sickles H.S., Fla.), committed to North Carolina
Wally Judge (6-9 F, Arlington Country Day, Fla.), committed to Kansas State
Tommy Mason-Griffin (5-11 G, James Madison H.S., Texas), committed to Oklahoma
Mason Plumlee (6-11 F, Arden Christ School), committed to Duke
Renardo Sidney (6-10 C, Fairfax H.S., Calif.), undecided
Michael Snaer (6-5 G, Rancho Verde H.S., Calif.), committed to Florida State
David Wear (6-10 F, Mater Dei H.S., Calif.), committed to North Carolina
Travis Wear (6-10 F, Mater Dei H.S., Calif.), committed to North Carolina