Skip to main content

Mikaylah Williams and Isaiah Collier Named 2023 Morgan Wootten National Players of the Year Ahead of the McDonald's All American Games
High school hoops' standouts chosen for dominance on the court, generosity in the community

CHICAGO, March 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- High school basketball stars Mikaylah Williams of Parkway High School in Louisiana and Isaiah Collier of Wheeler High School in Georgia have been named the 2023 Morgan Wootten National Players of the Year, one of high school hoops' most prestigious honors. Chosen by the McDonald's All American Games Selection Committee and the Wootten Family, both players continue the award's legacy of greatness, which not only celebrates monster numbers on the court, but also salutes all-star success in the classroom and in the community. Williams and Collier will join the rest of this year's finalists at Toyota Center in Houston for the 2023 McDonald's All American Games on Tuesday, March 28.

“In order to take my game to the next level and continue to learn and grow as a young woman, there’s only one place that I wanted to be: HOME!”⁠

Top basketball recruit @mkwill12_ announces that she will be playing for @lsuwbkb. Read the full piece on theplayerstribune.com.
- Mikaylah Williams @mkwill12_

For more than four decades, the McDonald's All American Games has been a steppingstone for basketball's best athletes. The Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year Award has been given annually since 1997 in honor of Morgan Wootten, the late chairman of the Games' Selection Committee and Basketball Hall of Fame Coach. Collier and Williams join a long list of stars to have been named to the honor – including LeBron James ('03), Dwight Howard ('04), Candace Parker ('04), Maya Moore ('07), Azzi Fudd ('21) and so many others.

"This award means so much to our family, as my father always sought to create well-rounded basketball players. It was just as important to him to coach a person who succeeded in the classroom and community, not just on the court," said Joe Wootten, Chairman of the McDonald's All American Games Selection Committee. "Mikaylah and Isaiah truly represent my dad's legacy as 2023 recipients of this award. They are such good people who are also amazing basketball players. I know they are going to continue to do great things in the future."

Mikaylah Williams
A true leader in all aspects of her life, Mikaylah Williams is a three-sport athlete, a highly rated class of 2023 prospect, a top performing student in her class and a frequent volunteer. The LSU commit has a passion for giving back, which has led Williams and her teammates to orchestrate an annual Easter egg hunt for her school's students with disabilities. Williams also regularly participates in activities at Parkway High School throughout the year, promoting inclusivity within the school's community. Williams is nationally recognized for her academics and serves as a student ambassador for her high school.

Isaiah Collier
As a top point guard prospect in the Class of 2023, Isaiah Collier is no stranger to assisting others. The USC commit is celebrated as a community champion, working to uplift teammates, neighbors and strangers in the greater Atlanta region. Collier is a member of numerous philanthropic endeavors, including those focused on clothing and food and insecurity, mentorship and environmental issues, often volunteering on a monthly basis. He is also a member of various academic clubs and organizations.

"Every year, the entire McDonald's All American class reminds us that the next generation of the sport is in great hands with so many high-character players. Our 2023 Morgan Wootten National Players of the Year, Mikaylah and Isaiah, are no exception," said Vicki Chancellor, Atlanta-based McDonald's Owner/Operator and Chair, McDonald's USA Franchisee Marketing Committee. "The work that Isaiah and Mikaylah put in their neighborhoods represent the best of who we are as a McDonald's All American Games family. They— along with each of our '23 All Americans— have such bright futures, and we can't wait to see them hit the floor in Houston."  

Honorable Mentions
This year's McDonald's All American Games roster is full of high character hoopers with 10 additional Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year finalists across both squads.

Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year Nominees from the girls' team included: KK Arnold (Germantown High School – WI), Zoe Brooks (Saint John Vianney High School – NJ), Jadyn Donovan (Sidwell Friends School – DC), Hannah Hidalgo (Paul VI High School – NJ) and JuJu Watkins (Sierra Canyon High School – CA).

Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year Nominees from the boys' team included: Aaron Bradshaw (Camden High School – NJ), Justin Edwards (Imhotep Institute Charter High School – PA), Ron Holland II (Duncanville High School – TX), Sean Stewart (Montverde Academy – FL) and DJ Wagner (Camden High School – NJ).

Houston, We Have Liftoff
Check out Collier, Williams and the rest of this year's McDonald's All Americans as they hit the hardwood on March 27 and 28 at the POWERADE® Jam Fest and McDonald's All American Games.

  • Fans can tune in to the POWERADE Jam Fest on Monday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
  • The 2023 McDonald's All American Girls Game will air live from Toyota Center in Houston on Tuesday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The Boys Game will immediately follow on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased for the event in Houston at ToyotaCenter.com.

Follow @McDAAG on TwitterInstagram and TikTok for the latest news and announcements. 

About McDonald's Community Efforts
For decades, McDonald's has been committed to the communities it serves, and the people that make up those communities. Every day the brand takes steps to achieve a more equitable and inclusive future for employees, franchisees, suppliers, customers, and the communities it serves and fosters. Through involvement in youth sports, local charities and events that inspire the world, giving back is an essential part of the way the Golden Arches operates every day to shine brighter for communities. Notable efforts include fundraising and engaging volunteers for Ronald McDonald House Charities® programs; education and mentorship programs through Black & Positively Golden Mentors Program, Black & Positively Golden HBCU Scholarship Fund, the HACER® Education Tour, support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America's, diplomas2Degrees program and the Archways to Opportunity program; and partnerships with community organizations that uplift and inspire local action.

About McDonald's USA  
McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald's approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcdonalds.

© 2023 McDonald's   
All trademarks and/or registered marks are owned by their respective companies

TOP Pageant News Now

Ligia Sofia Lopez Monico is crowned Miss Teen El Salvador 2024: Check: Full LIVE Stream

Averie Mountain is crowned Miss Kansas' Teen 2024

Happening Now: This year Fourteen Delegates Vying Miss Kansas' Teen 2024 Crown, Final This Saturday, March 16th - Top 4 Announced

Streaming Now: Miss Teen El Salvador 2024 on March 16th from San Salvador Starting at 8pm

Nine Contestants are Vying The Miss Gibraltar 2024 Crown at Final on March 23rd

Miss Beauty of Zeeland 2024 LIVE Stream on March 23rd from the Theater de Mythe in Goes

Monique Weyers is crowned Mrs Universe South Africa 2024

Happening Now: Mrs Universe South Africa 2024 Final on March 15th in The Lyric Gold Reef City Theatre

Melissa Sapini is crowned Miss Massachusetts USA 2024

Anne Baldridge is crowned Miss Maine USA 2024

Avery Turner is crowned Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 2024

Abbey Hafer is crowned Miss Maine Teen USA 2024

Streaming Now: 111 Massachusetts and Maine Local Queens Vying Four Crowns Leading to Miss & Teen USA 2024 in Hollywood: Check Results

Watch LIVE Miss Massachusetts Teen USA 2024 with 30 Contestants

Check LIVE Miss Maine USA 2024 with 12 Contestants Today: Check Results

Stream Miss Maine Teen USA 2024 with 13 Contestants and Check Results

Christell Foote is crowned Miss Tennessee USA 2024

Happening Now Miss Tennessee USA 2024 in Clarksville, Stream Available: Check Results, Just Announced Top 16

Townsend Blackwell is crowned Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2024

Streaming Now Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2024 at Pageant Vision: Check Results

Czech Republic's Krystyna Pyszková is crowned Miss World 2023 - 2024

Lebanon's Yasmina Zaytoun placed 1st Runner-up Miss World

Streaming Now: Miss World Timeline 2024 & Full Results: Final & Coronation at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai LIVE @ Sony Liv
Top 40 Quarter Finalists Announced, Top 12 and Top 8 follows
TOP 4 - One Per Region

  1. Miss World America & Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago, Aché Abrahams
  2. Miss World Africa: Botswana, Lesego Chombo
  3. Miss World Europe: Czech Republic, Krystyna Pyszková
  4. Miss World Asia & Oceana: Lebanon, Yasmina Zaytoun

Kenza Ameloot was crowned Miss Belgium 2024 for Miss Universe @ Mexico

The Miss Belgium 2024 Pageant is Streaming LIVE on Eclipse TV or on Sudinfo, Check Results Including Top 15

Winnipesaukee’s Teen, Kylie Laroche is crowned Miss New Hampshire's Teen 2024

Miss New Hampshire’s Teen 2024 Prelims Today on February 17th at 2pm and 7pm: Final on Feb 18th with 26 Contestants: Check Results

Alethea Ambrosio was crowned The Miss Philippines 2023, Now Appointed Miss Supranational Philippines 2024

Streaming Now Appointment of 2024 Miss Supranational Philippines, Miss Asia-Pacific Philippines, Miss Eco International Philippines, Miss Eco Teen Philippines, and Miss Aura Philippines Queens

The Top 16 Finalists Miss World Nicaragua 2024 Announced on February 17th

Joanna Johnson is crowned Miss Supranational United Kingdom 2024

Check Results and LIVE Streaming Miss Supranational United Kingdom 2024 from The Venue@DMU Leicester

The 26 Contestants Announced at CNB Ecuador 2024 for The 73RD Miss Universe Pageant in Mexico

The 71ST Miss World Updates Till February 9, 2024 Press Conference at New Delhi, India