McDonald's All-American Game Postmortem

by jc25 on Mar 29, 2025 7:44 PM CDT in Texas Longhorns and Other Basketball

Texas commitment Cameron Ridley and his West squad won the McDonald's All-American game last night, 106-102. Ridley actually had a really good game, posting a box score line of 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. I did a postmortem of the game for Kentucky SBNation website A Sea of Blue if you want to check out my thoughts on the various players. Here's my take on Ridley's performance.

Best Big Man: Cameron Ridley (Texas)

This was a spirited battle, and seeing Ridley and opposing East starter DaJuan Coleman (Syracuse) go head to head was enjoyable. Coleman led the game in rebounds with 12, but Ridley was the highest scoring big, posting up 12 points. Isaiah Austin (Baylor) showed undeniable perimeter talent, and Tony Parker (undecided) was a load inside. Also, Arizona's future twin tower duo of Brandon Ashley and Grant Jerrett looked sneaky good.

In the end though, Ridley showed the most with a dazzling array of fundamentals. He started the game with a nifty post move (though he didn't finish), was excellent at rolling to the basket, and was one of the few bigs who felt comfortable enough handling at the perimeter (shades of Josh Harrellson). Most importantly, Ridley was a solid rebounder and the best defender, owning the paint better than his fellow bigs.

It was easy to see why this class is tilted so top-heavy, as I liked the forward/center play better than the guards'. Also, the McDonald's game did not even include notables like Kaleb Tarczewski (Arizona), Mitch McGary (Michigan), or Kentucky target Nerlens Noel (undeclared), three bigs that are also plenty talented.

Shabazz Muhammad took home the MVP award, and other standout performers included Alex Poythress (Kentucky), Rasheed Sulaimon (Duke), and Kyle Anderson (UCLA).

The full box score can be found here.

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Cam highlights

Right here.

by Scipio Tex on Mar 30, 2025 12:35 AM CDT reply actions

Nice

http://aseaofblue.com | https://www.barkingcarnival.com | @JC_Hoops

by jc25 on Mar 30, 2025 8:12 AM CDT up reply actions

this guy is going to be a stud.

He just needs to hurry up and sign already. This next year I think we have to contend with a title with him.
without him its second or third round exit.
A team with him, Myck, And JCovan. Plus possibly devonta pollard.
too sick>

"Slammed that hoe on the counter like I just got 35 on the domino table!!"
Sherrod Harris

by AlDe2356 on Mar 30, 2025 3:33 AM CDT reply actions

Perhaps the best of Rick's high profile bigs?

I finally got around to watching the game this morning. His free throw stroke looked better than Tristan Thompson’s and he seemed to want his shots closer to the hoop than LaMarcus Aldridge did. I definitely liked his game better than the guy going to Baylor. If he signs the dotted line, next year should be very interesting.

by Cirque Du Salado on Mar 30, 2025 3:13 PM CDT reply actions

Tristan Thompson got 50% better

from his senior year of high school through his freshman year of college. We don’t know what Ridley will do. That’s the problem with young big men of the lesser athlete variety - they can keep growing the skill portion of their game like Tim Duncan and become dominant or they can hit their ceiling at age 19. Guys like Aldridge and Thompson just keep getting better and better from age 18-26.

by Scipio Tex on Mar 30, 2025 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

The thing about Tristan

Even when he had big strong bodies on him, he could muscle it in. His hands were incredible. Would’ve loved to see what this year’s team could have done with him . . . especially against North Carolina.

by Cirque Du Salado on Mar 30, 2025 5:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Have Dwight Howard's vertical...

he does not.
I’m glad we have a Todd Wright to rectify that.

"The words printed here are concepts. You must go through the experiences." - St. Augustine

by Funkytown on Mar 30, 2025 3:32 PM CDT reply actions

Probably a good thing for Texas

If he had Dwight’s vertical, he’d be a definitive top 10 pick in next year’s NBA draft and the current #1 player in the class. Fortunately, that weakness may keep him in Austin for a 2nd year, however unlikely that may seem.

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by GoHornsGo90 on Mar 30, 2025 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Even without the vertical

He’s tall and takes up space . . . I have to think Holmes and Bond benefit with him on the floor.

by Cirque Du Salado on Mar 30, 2025 5:26 PM CDT up reply actions

He can stay four full years at Texas working with

Wright and he won’t have Dwight Howard’s vertical, but he doesn’t have to have it.

Ridley is the type of guy I would love to see stay a few years and let Wright shift some of that weight around so he could become more explosive. Reminds me a bit of Kendrick Perkins.

The really nice thing is that having to face Ridley in the summer, pre-season, and season might force Prince Ibeh to realize weights are not a basketball players enemy and the same goes for a nice drop step. Facing Prince me reinforce to Ridley the need to get a bit quicker to deal with more agile, athletic bigs.

by davey o'brien on Mar 30, 2025 10:27 PM CDT reply actions