ROCKINGHAM — Already with a decorated high school athletic resume, Paul McNeil Jr. added another recognition this week.
The senior wing at Richmond Senior High School was named an official nominee for the 2024 McDonald’s All American Games.
One of a dozen male nominees from North Carolina, McNeil Jr. is part of a boys high school pool of 343 national nominees from 39 states and Washington, D.C.
There is also a girls pool with over 380 players nominated from 43 states and the nation’s capital. Both games will be played in Houston on April 2.
The list was released Tuesday and McNeil Jr. found out he was nominated while on social media.
“I was scrolling through Instagram,” McNeil Jr. said. “The McDonald’s All American page had posted all the nominees and I saw my name. I was happy to see that and it’s all part of the process. I just want to keep my composure and stay humble.
“It’s great to be recognized on a national stage, especially coming from a small community like Richmond County,” he continued. “It’s a blessing to have my name in the conversation and it’s a big accomplishment. I’m not taking it for granted and am enjoying the moment.”
The reigning North Carolina Basketball Coaches Association’s All-State Player of the Year, McNeil Jr. was also named the North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year following his sophomore season.
He’s been named All-State twice, while making All-District and All-Conference all three years he’s played varsity basketball for the Raiders. McNeil Jr. officially signed to play at North Carolina State University in December.
Players who made the preliminary list for the McDonald’s All American Games were nominated by either a high school coach, principal, athletic director, the event’s Selection Committee or by a combination.
McNeil Jr. was nominated by three of the four — Richmond’s head coach Donald Pettigrew, principal Jim Butler and athletic director Mike Way.
Helping narrow down the final roster to 24 players will be the Selection Committee, which is led by director Terri Lynn Wootten, committee chair Joe Wootten and basketball experts from around the country.
The McDonald’s All American Games website says its selection process “sets itself apart from other comparable events in that players are selected based on a systematic voting process.”
Started in 1977, the McDonald’s All American Games have featured some of the greatest talent in the sport’s history, both male an female.
Among those who played in the high school all-star game and went on to have an NBA career include: Magic Johnson (1977), Isaiah Thomas (1979), Michael Jordan (1981), Shaquille O’Neal (1989), Kevin Garnett (1995), JJ Reddick (2002), LeBron James and Chris Paul (2003) and Derrick Rose and James Harden (2007).
“The McDonald’s All American game is a big stage that has a lot of history and successful players. And if I make the final roster, I think it’ll help me stand out as a better person and basketball player,” McNeil Jr. said. “It’s definitely something I’m proud to have on my resume.
”We have two games before they select the players, so I’m going to keep working and keep grinding,” he explained. “I have to continue to ball out the rest of the season. If I don’t get it, it’s not the end of the world. I still want to get a ring with the guys.”
McNeil Jr. will get two more chances to impress the Selection Committee before the final 24-player roster is announced Tuesday, Jan. 24. The boys’ and girls’ teams will be named on NBA Today between 3-4 p.m. on ESPN.
The Raiders (10-5, 4-0 Sandhills Athletic Conference) will host Lee County High School (Jan. 16) and Pine Forest High School (Jan. 17).
Playing in all but one game this season, McNeil Jr. is the leading scorer in the entire 4A classification in the state with 31.1 points per game. He’s also fourth in 4A with 11.6 rebounds per game.
McNeil Jr. is averaging 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.5 blocks every four quarters. He’s netted 53% of his shots from the field and has made 36% of his three-point attempts. In his 77 career games, McNeil Jr. has scored 1,881 points (24.4 PPG).
Not quick to forget his teammates, McNeil Jr. said the personal accolades and recognitions are always “a blessing,” but the one thing that matters most is finishing the job left undone in March.
“This season has prepared us a lot,” McNeil Jr. closed. “It’s hard to lose games, but playing these big teams has given us the experience to win a state championship that we didn’t have last year.
“We’re watching more film, and with all the right pieces in place and playing these tough games, I feel like we’re going to get the state championship.”
Tip-off between the Raiders and Lee County Yellow Jackets (5-8- 1-2 SAC) will be Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Sports editor’s note: Paul McNeil’s statistics were provided by MaxPreps.com.
