Duke-Bound Bryson Howard Snubbed from McDonald's All-American Game

Reaction to the high school basketball star's exclusion from the prestigious all-star game has drawn criticism.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:07pm

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Bryson Howard, a five-star shooting guard and Duke commit, was surprisingly left off the 2026 McDonald's All-American Game roster despite being ranked ninth in the Class of 2026. The snub has drawn criticism from basketball figures like Lone Star Elite founder Darius Coleman and Field of 68 co-founder Jeff Goodman, who have suggested the voting process needs reform.

Why it matters

The McDonald's All-American Game is considered one of the most prestigious high school basketball all-star events, so Howard's exclusion has raised questions about the credibility of the selection process and the game's declining reputation.

The details

Howard, who plays for Heritage High School in Texas, has led his team to a 23-2 record and an 18-game winning streak. He is averaging 23 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3.1 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, and has been named to the Naismith Boys' High School Player of the Year Midseason Team.

  • The 2026 McDonald's All-American Game rosters were announced on February 3, 2026.
  • Heritage High School's last loss came in late November 2025.

The players

Bryson Howard

A five-star shooting guard and Duke commit, ranked ninth in the Class of 2026.

Darius Coleman

The founder of Lone Star Elite, a basketball organization.

Jeff Goodman

The co-founder of Field of 68, a basketball media outlet.

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What they’re saying

“The McDonald's AA game, once the most prestigious high school basketball game, is losing respectability. The Bryson Howard snub is just one of many factors contributing to this decline.”

— Darius Coleman, Lone Star Elite founder

“McDonald's Game voting process is so easy to fix. There are about 10-15 people who are out there watching these kids all summer and at the big events during the high school season. They are the ones that should be voting. No one associated with a shoe company or an AAU program.”

— Jeff Goodman, Field of 68 co-founder

What’s next

Bryson Howard and the Heritage High School Coyotes will look to build momentum for the playoffs by sweeping their last five regular-season games.

The takeaway

The exclusion of a top-ranked high school basketball player like Bryson Howard from the prestigious McDonald's All-American Game has raised concerns about the credibility and transparency of the selection process, potentially contributing to the game's declining reputation in the eyes of some basketball experts.