Amanda Knapp
The All-American title is an honorific awarded to outstanding U.S. athletes in a specific sport in a given year, competing at the collegiate and secondary school levels. In basketball, All-American status is awarded to the top 6 or 8 placers at the national championship tournament. The selection criteria vary by sport, but in Division I men's basketball, the NCAA recognizes consensus All-America teams via a points system based on teams chosen by four entities: the Associated Press (AP), the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Sporting News, and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). Many other bodies and publications select their own All-America teams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Level | Collegiate and secondary school |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Selection criteria | Athletic achievement at a championship event or by being selected by members of the national media, coaches' association, or through a poll |
| Selection bodies | Associated Press (AP), the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Sporting News, and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) |
| Selection process | Points system |
| Number of selections | 45 first team All Americans |
| Status | For life |
| Academic achievement | Recognized as "Academic All-America" teams |
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What You'll Learn
Selection criteria
Collegiate Level:
The selection criteria for college basketball players are determined by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). In Division I men's basketball, the NCAA utilizes a points system based on teams chosen by four entities: the Associated Press (AP), the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Sporting News, and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). These four outlets are considered "major" All-American team selectors. The point system consists of three points for the first team, two points for the second team, and one point for the third team. The top five totals, including ties, are named to the first team, while the next five plus ties are selected for the second team.
In Division I women's basketball, the NCAA recognizes unanimous first-team selections since 1995, based on choices from the AP, USBWA, and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. Selections are administered by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
High School Level:
At the high school level, All-America teams in basketball were selected by Parade magazine from 1957 to 2015. Additionally, McDonald's restaurant chain selects players annually for its McDonald's All-American Game. These selections are based on the players' performance and potential, with the honor carrying significant prestige.
Academic Achievements:
The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) selects Academic All-America teams to recognize the academic achievements of student-athletes. CoSIDA has been naming Academic All-America teams annually since 1952, and its selections are based on both athletic and academic excellence.
Other Considerations:
It is worth noting that All-American selections are not limited to these criteria. Various other organizations, such as Ballislife, USA Today, and MaxPreps, also select their own All-America teams based on their criteria, which may include player performance, statistical achievements, and expert opinions.
The term "All-American" is generally associated with outstanding U.S. athletes in a given year, and those selected are considered the "best of the best." While it is not an official designation, it carries significant prestige, and players chosen as All-Americans are often regarded as top players in their respective levels of competition.
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All-American status
The All-American status is an honorific title given to outstanding U.S. athletes in a specific sport in a given year competing at the collegiate and secondary school levels. The term was first used in 1889 for a select group of college football players, picked by Caspar Whitney and Walter Camp for a magazine called 'The Week's Sport'. Over time, the title expanded to other sports, including basketball.
In basketball, All-American status is an honour bestowed upon the best players in the country, at both college and high school levels. The selection criteria vary, but athletes can earn All-America honours either by athletic achievement at a championship event or by being selected by members of the national media, coaches' associations, or through polls. In Division I men's basketball, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recognises consensus All-America teams via a points system, based on teams chosen by four entities: the Associated Press (AP), the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Sporting News, and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).
Many other bodies and publications also select their own All-America teams in basketball. For example, McDonald's selects players annually for its McDonald's All-American Game. Additionally, there is a Ballislife All-American Game. In Division I women's basketball, the NCAA recognises unanimous first-team selections based on choices from the AP, USBWA, and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
The term "Academic All-America" is used to recognise the academic achievements of student-athletes. The College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) selects these teams, and the first Academic All-American basketball team was named in 1963.
Once an athlete is chosen as an All-American, they carry that status for life. It is an honour and award specifically for amateur and collegiate athletes, not for professionals.
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Academic All-America teams
The term "All-American" is used to describe outstanding U.S. amateur athletes, typically at the collegiate level. In basketball, All-American status is achieved through athletic achievement at a championship event or by being selected by members of the national media, coaches' associations, or through polls.
The selection criteria for All-American teams vary by sport, but in Division I men's basketball, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recognizes consensus All-America teams via a points system. This system is based on teams chosen by four entities: the Associated Press (AP), the National Association of Basketball Coaches, Sporting News, and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). Many other bodies and publications also select their own All-America teams.
In Division I women's basketball, the NCAA recognizes unanimous first-team selections based on choices from the AP, USBWA, and Women's Basketball Coaches Association. In Division III, the top 40 finishers are awarded All-American distinction.
The term "Academic All-America" recognizes the academic achievements of student-athletes. This program was started in 1952 by the College Sports Information Directors of America to honor college athletes at all levels of competition and in all collegiate sports. Each year, different sets of All-American teams are recognized towards consensus and unanimous selection recognition. A unanimous selection is a player listed as a first-team All-American by all recognized lists, while a consensus All-American is listed as a first-team All-American by at least half of the recognized lists.
In conclusion, the term "All-American" in basketball denotes exceptional athletic performance, while "Academic All-America" acknowledges the academic accomplishments of student-athletes. Both recognitions are highly regarded and contribute to the prestige of student-athletes in the United States.
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McDonald's All-American Game
The McDonald's All-American Game is an annual American all-star basketball game for high school graduates. It began in 1977 with the selection of the inaugural team, and the following year saw the first McDonald's All-American Game, with a boys' contest between East and West squads. The girls' game was added in 2002, creating the current doubleheader format.
The game features the top players from across the nation, with 24 players participating in the 46th edition of the game in 2025. These players are selected by the McDonald's All-American Games Selection Committee, based on their high school careers, performances in previous McDonald's All-American Games, success at the collegiate and professional levels, and post-career accomplishments. Being selected as a McDonald's All-American is a significant honour, instantly branding the player as one of the top high school players in the country.
The event consists of a single exhibition game for each team, played in an East vs. West format. In addition to the games, there are skills competitions such as a slam dunk contest and a three-point shooting competition, in which boys and girls participate together. The slam dunk contest has been won by girls on three occasions: Candace Parker in 2004, Fran Belibi in 2019, and Ashlyn Watkins in 2022.
The McDonald's All-American Game is the best-known of the American high-school basketball All-American teams. Athletes selected often go on to successful college basketball careers, with all but four of the teams winning the NCAA men's championship since 1978 having had at least one McDonald's All-American on their rosters. Proceeds from the games go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities and their programmes.
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All-American teams in other sports
All-America teams are composed of outstanding U.S. amateur athletes, with the designation typically used at the collegiate level. However, beginning in 1957, high school athletes in football began receiving All-American status, which then extended to other sports like basketball and cross-country running. The selection criteria vary by sport, with athletes earning All-America honours either through athletic achievement at a championship event or by selection by members of the national media, coaches' associations, or polls.
In collegiate archery, All-America selections are determined by the US Collegiate Archery (USCA) association, with honours awarded for Olympic Recurve, Compound Target, and Bowhunter divisions. The top 10 archers in each division, based on aggregate scores from the National Indoor and Intercollegiate Championships, receive All-American honours.
In baseball, All-America teams are selected annually by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Collegiate Baseball. In Division I men's basketball, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recognises consensus All-America teams via a points system, based on teams chosen by entities like the Associated Press (AP) and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. In Division I women's basketball, the NCAA recognises unanimous first-team selections based on selections from the AP, USBWA, and Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
In AIAW track and field, before women's sports were added to the NCAA, All-America certificates were awarded to the top six athletes at the national outdoor or indoor championships per event. The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) selects five NCAA All-America teams in women's volleyball and teams for all three NCAA divisions in men's volleyball. In NCAA fencing, the U.S. Fencing Coaches Association selects athletes for All-American first, second, and third teams, as well as honourable mentions.
In football, there are competitions like the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and the Under Armour All-America Game, where high school athletes are recognised. The U.S. Army All-American Bowl features an All-American football team, split between East and West, and an All-American marching band. Athletes who excel in cross-country running can attain All-American honours by placing in the top 15 of their gender division at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.
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Frequently asked questions
An All-American in basketball is an honorific title given to outstanding U.S. athletes in a specific sport in a given year competing at the collegiate and secondary school levels.
The selection criteria vary by sport. Athletes at the high school and college level placed on All-America teams are referred to as All-Americans. Athletes earn All-America honors in their sport either by athletic achievement at a championship event or by being selected by members of the national media, coaches' associations, or through a poll.
Examples of All-American teams in basketball include the McDonald's All-American Game, the Ballislife All-American Game, and the AAU Men's Basketball All-Americans.
