By Titus Mohler Nansemond River High School senior Devon Oakley was recently recognized for being selected as a nominee to play in the 2014 McDonald’s All American Games.
According to a press release, the list of nominees included 984 prep seniors from 44 states and the District of Columbia, selected by high school coaches, athletic directors, principals and members of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee.
The games, one for boys and another for girls, make up a prestigious event in April at Chicago’s United Center in which the top 24 boys and 24 girls from the nominees list play.
Though Oakley was not one of the 24 selected, he said, “It was just a great honor for my name even to be put in such a category as the McDonald’s All-American Games.” He was one of only two players from Hampton Roads to be named on the list and the only local male player.
Neither Oakley nor Warriors head coach Ed Young knew who had nominated him. Young theorized it could have been from media or college coaches who had seen him play at Nansemond River or with an Amateur Athletic Union team.
But he said the McDonald’s nomination was probably his proudest achievement “because I grew up watching McDonald’s All-Americans, I watched them play in the game, and to know I got nominated for that game, it was pretty good.”
Now that his senior high school season has concluded, Oakley’s attention turns to college possibilities. “I have to take some visits to some schools, and then I’ll make my decision on signing day,” he said, which comes on April 16.
