Weston Basketball Star Nominated to McDonald's All-American Game

WESTON, MA – A staple of The Rivers School's boys basketball team is one of more than 720 high school seniors nominated to play in the 2017 McDonald's All-American games.

Jermaine Samuels, a senior small forward, is among 13 basketball players from Massachusetts to be considered for the final rosters, which will consist of 24 boys and 24 girls. The players have been nominated by high school coaches, athletic directors, principals and members of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee.

"We are very pleased with the nomination of thirteen local players for the 2017 McDonald's All American Games," Nicole Garvey, local McDonald’s spokeswoman, said in a statement. "These student-athletes display remarkable dedication and commitment to the game and they also set an amazing example by working hard during their time off the court by giving back to their schools and the community. It’s an honor to have these players’ talent’s recognized at the national level and we are proud to have them representing us from Eastern New England as nominees for the 2017 McDonald’s All American Games."

McDonald's will name its final rosters during the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Show on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 10:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

Both games will be played March 29. The girl's game will be broadcast on ESPN2, followed by the boy's game on ESPN.

Below is the full list of Massachusetts players nominated:

· Amaya Finklea-Guity, Noble and Greenough School, Dedham
· Kelly Fogarty, Walpole High School, Walpole
· Sayawni Lassiter, Newton North High School, Newton
· Ishanna Brown, Springfield Central High School, Springfield
· Jerome Desrosiers, North Mount Hermon School, Mount Hermon
· Matt DeWolf, North Mount Hermon School, Mount Hermon
· Derrick Ellis, Springfield Commonwealth Academy, Springfield
· Hasahn French, Springfield Commonwealth Academy, Springfield
· Kellan Grady, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Mount Hermon
· Shyheim Hicks, Springfield Commonwealth Academy, Springfield
· Tomas Murphy, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Mount Hermon
· Andrew Platek, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Mount Hermon
· Jermaine Samuels, The Rivers School, Weston

Image courtesy McDonalds All American Games.