Future Spartan Medlock Jr. Snubbed from McDonald's All-American Game

Despite leading one of the nation's top prep programs, Michigan State signee Carlos Medlock Jr. was left off the prestigious roster.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:31am

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The 2026 McDonald's All-American Game rosters were revealed, and while Michigan State signee Jasiah Jervis earned a spot, another future Spartan, Carlos Medlock Jr., was notably left off the roster. Medlock has been leading Link Academy, one of the top high school programs in the country, and is putting up impressive stats as a scoring-first guard. Despite the snub, Medlock's continued dominance suggests his impact may rival or even surpass some of the players selected for the prestigious showcase.

Why it matters

The McDonald's All-American Game is one of the most prestigious high school basketball events, featuring the top talent in the country. While Jervis earned well-deserved recognition, Medlock's exclusion is surprising given his standout season and the fact that he is headed to the same college program as Jervis. This snub could serve as extra motivation for Medlock as he looks to prove he belongs among the nation's elite.

The details

Medlock is averaging a team-high 17.7 points per game for Link Academy, which is currently ranked second in the nation according to MaxPreps. He is shooting an impressive 48% from the field and 46.5% from beyond the arc, while also contributing 1.6 steals per game. Most recently, Medlock stood out as the top performer against powerhouse Montverde Academy, leading both teams in scoring with 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-5 from three-point range.

  • The 2026 McDonald's All-American Game rosters were officially revealed on February 4, 2026.
  • Medlock is currently leading Link Academy, which is ranked second in the nation for the 2025-26 season.

The players

Jasiah Jervis

A Michigan State signee who was selected to the 2026 McDonald's All-American Game roster.

Carlos Medlock Jr.

A Michigan State signee who was notably left off the 2026 McDonald's All-American Game roster despite leading one of the top high school programs in the country.

Ethan Taylor

A Michigan State signee who was not selected to the 2026 McDonald's All-American Game roster despite a strong season.

Julius Avent

A Michigan State signee who was not selected to the 2026 McDonald's All-American Game roster despite a strong season.

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What they’re saying

“Medlock may be undersized, but he's extremely talented and creative with the ball. He has total command of his handle, can play at full speed with complete control, and can break down defenders almost at will. He's got an assortment of acrobatic layups and clever finishes in the paint, but can also rise up and dunk on unsuspecting defenders. When the game slows down, he's still almost impossible to corral as he'll split ball screens and create space for tough pull-ups or step-backs off the dribble.”

— Adam Finkelstein, 247Sports director of scouting

What’s next

Medlock will look to continue his dominant play and help lead Link Academy to a successful postseason run, potentially earning further recognition and proving the McDonald's All-American selection committee wrong.

The takeaway

While Jasiah Jervis earned well-deserved recognition, Carlos Medlock Jr.'s exclusion from the McDonald's All-American Game roster is a surprising snub that could serve as extra motivation for the Michigan State signee. Medlock's continued dominance and elite production for one of the nation's top high school programs suggests he belongs among the country's elite guards and could be a steal for the Spartans in their 2026 recruiting class.