Isiah Thomas

New York, Chicago legends to coach McDonald’s teams

(Gene Pingatore and Dorothy Gaters)

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The coaches for the 2011 McDonald’s All-American Games were announced on Thursday. When the top high school players in the nation converge on Chicago’s United Center to play in the historic showcase, the West boys team will be coached by Gene Pingatore from St. Joseph’s (IL), while the East will have Bob Cimmino Jr. from Mount Vernon (NY) on the bench. MORE >

Chicago will host 2011 McDonald’s All-American Game

Ray McCallum in the 2010 McD's Game

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Chicago will always hold a special place in basketball lore. Playground legends from Billy “The Kid” Harris to Will “The Thrill” Bynum, local heroes from Ben Wilson to Kevin Garnett, homegrown pros from Isiah Thomas to Derrick Rose, and adopted sons from Michael Jordan to Scottie Pippen have all played a role in making the Windy City one of the world’s basketball hotbeds and a place where legacies are made.

Next spring, the city will host a new crop of rising stars, as the McDonald’s High School All-American Game returns to Chicago for the first time since 1982. MORE >