Houston To Host 2020 McDONALD’S ALL AMERICAN GAMES® For First Time At Toyota Center
Dec 22, 2019, 3:37 pm
Tickets to the McDonald's All American Games will be on sale beginning Jan. 23.
Originally Appeared on VYPE
HOUSTON, TX (Dec. 16, 2019) – McDonald's is celebrating the next generation of basketball stars by bringing the 2020 All American Games to Houston for the very first time. Fans will get a first look at some of the nation's top emerging players as they take their talents to the court at Toyota Center on Wednesday, April 1.
Since the Games' inception, Texas has been home to 62 McDonald's All American Boys and 60 McDonald's All American Girls players, including Rashard Lewis (1998), Gerald Green (2005), Justise Winslow (2014), Nneka Ogwumike (2008), Brittney Griner (2009), Myles Turner (2014) and Ariel Atkins (2014). Houston, alone, has been home to 21 McDonald's All Americans.
"The McDonald's All American Games has a long history of celebrating the top high school basketball players from across the country and we cannot wait to bring this prestigious event to the passionate hoops fanbase in Houston," said McDonald's All American Games Selection Committee Co-Chairman Joe Wootten. "The boys and girls we select will leave their mark on basketball history and become a part of an alumni group that includes some of the best basketball players to take the court."
"The 2007 McDonald's All American Games were one of the coolest experiences of my life," said Houston Rockets superstar James Harden. "Top high school players from around the country, that have been putting the work in, have the opportunity to showcase it in front of the world."
Since 1977, Games players have represented some of the greatest NBA, WNBA and college stars, including Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Maya Moore and Candace Parker. This is the 43rd year of the annual Boys Game and the 19th year of the Girls Game.
The story continues here
Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a strained muscle at the top of his right hand, a diagnosis that instills optimism he won’t have a prolonged stay on the injured list.
The three-time All-Star went on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday, and returned to Houston for an MRI that revealed the muscle strain.
“We look at it as good news,” Astros manager Joe Espada said before their Wednesday afternoon game with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Espada expressed hope that Alvarez wouldn’t have to stay on the injured list longer than the required 10 days. He also said the hand issue may have played a role in Alvarez’s slow start.
Alvarez, 27, is hitting .210 with a .306 on-base percentage, three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season. He batted .308 with a .392 on-base percentage, 35 homers and 86 RBIs in 147 games last year while ranking ninth in the AL Most Valuable Player balloting.
He has posted an OPS of at least .959 and has finished 13th or higher in the MVP voting each of the last three seasons.
“Once he heals, once he gets back, I think we’ll see a more aggressive at bat and be not as cautious,” Espada said. “I think it had something to do with it, yes.”
His potential return could go a long way toward boosting an Astros lineup that hasn’t been as productive as usual this season. The Astros entered Wednesday’s action ranked 21st in the majors in runs (136) and 23rd in OPS (.676). Houston has ranked 11th or better in both those categories each of the last four seasons.