HS HOOPS: Report from McDonalds All-American press conference
NORWALK – Jrue Holiday and Larry Drew had the time of their lives today.
And that’s saying something because they’ve had more ups than downs compared to most teenagers considering they’re two of the nation’s top prep basketball players – Holiday a UCLA-bound star for Southern Section Div. III-AA champion Campbell Hall of North Hollywood and Drew a North Carolina-bound star for City Section champion Taft of Woodland Hills.
It was about basketball again today, as Holiday and Drew and four others from the Southland were honored as McDonalds All-Americans at a press conference at a local McDonalds. Television reporters from ABC, Fox Sports Network and other stations interviewed them, and family members were beaming, as you would expect.
But also there were a group of youngsters from New River Elementary School who came to meet the All-Americans and help them celebrate. Holiday and Drew played with the kids at the McDonalds playground, shot baskets with them, signed autographs.
It dawned on the players that the annual McDonalds all-star event, scheduled for March 26 in Milwaukee, is all about the kids. The nationally televised game raises money to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Last year’s game in Louisville raised more than $500,000.
It’s starting to become apparent to Holiday and Drew that their talents mean more than cheers from the crowd, championship trophies or even a college scholarship. They’ve been granted a special opportunity to help others, a key step in learning it’s better to give than receive and to do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
You couldn’t help but get a bit choked up watching the scene.
“It’s not too often you can take a step to help the lives of others,” Drew said. “It’s a new experience. If the game raises money, I’m just happy to be given a chance to do something like that, to help kids stay on the right track to success.”
Holiday had so much fun shooting baskets with the kids that he almost worked up more of a sweat than an average 26-point night.
He was beaming.
“It’s an honor. It’s a good charity,” Holiday said. “Only the top players play in the McDonalds game. It’s the all-star game I really wanted to play in. And if somebody, the kids, can look up to us, that makes me feel good.”
PHOTO: LARRY DREW OF TAFT TALKS TO TV REPORTER
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com