McDonald's All-Americans shine

The West team lost to the East 115-110 Wednesday in the 24th McDonald's All-American game, the first time the University of Washington had a rooting interest in the game. And not only that, they got to root twice as much, as both Martell Webster and Jon Brockman played in the game.

Webster started for the West and put up their first eight points with a three-pointer off glass, a tip-in and another trey from long-range. He almost had another three that just rattled in and out from the deep corner. The ESPN commentators said that Martell reminded them of a young Paul Pierce, and later in the second half even talked about how his physical and emotional maturity reminded them of LeBron James. High praise indeed for the 6-6 wing from Seattle Prep. He ended up leading the west with 10 points at intermission and had 16 overall for the game even though his silky stroke abandoned him in the second half.

Martell was interviewed during the game by Tim McCormick. McCormick asked Webster about his conversations with Washington Head Coach Lorenzo Romar. "He said it's going to be a battle for a starting position, so I'm looking forward to working hard and getting a good spot," Webster said. McCormick later picked Webster as his announcer's pick for the player in the game that would most likely be the biggest star in the group ten years down the road.

All-Star games focus on the deep shooters and the tall trees inside. Brockman, at 6-foot-7, is neither, but he still let his presence be known as he continuously banged inside with bigger players. He made his first appearance with roughly twelve-and-a-half minutes left and put in his first points of the game with just under 6 minutes remaining. He also had four boards in the first 20 minutes and racked up nearly that many in the second half. Brockman stood out in one sequence for going up strong against Korvotney Barber (Auburn) when Barber wanted to go high for a jam. He earned bonus points from the announcers for playing defense and not backing down.

Martell Webster Scout Profile

Jon Brockman Scout Profile