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Dewan Huell celebrates getting his McDonald's All American jersey

DewanHuell

Dewan Huell (Photo: McDonald’s All America Game)

Dewan Huell was eager to watch the McDonald’s All American Game Selection Show on Sunday night.

Ranked among the top 25 players in the nation, the 6-10 power forward from Miami Norland figured he had a good chance of being picked. But the East roster flashed on the screen with two other players from Florida listed, he assumed he had been left off.

“I was looking up and down the list and was like, ‘Damn, I don’t see my name,’ ” Huell recalled. “I was kind of hurting. I was sad that I didn’t make it.”

But then the West roster popped on the screen and his name appeared. Huell had been selected to the 39th annual game in Chicago on March 30.

“I made it and everybody in the room went crazy, yelling and screaming,” he said. “It meant everything to me.

“That night I didn’t get to sleep until like 5 a.m.”

A more-rested Huell, who has signed with the Miami Hurricanes, received his McDonald’s jersey during a ceremony at his school as part of the McDonald’s All American Hometown Heroes presented by American Family Insurance. Huell was the first of 24 stops to recognize each of the boys players in his hometown.

RELATED: ALL-USA Watch: Huell hopes to be Miami’s next hometown superstar

“I watched the documentary last year on BallIsLife and Home Team Hoops and it was amazing,” he said. “They had a lot of fun, go out and work out but also give back to the kids (at the Ronald McDonald House). I’m really excited about the game being on national TV.”

For Huell, the ceremony was a chance to share his success with his school, his coaches and most importantly his teammates.

“The person I am today is because is of my team,” he said. “Without them, I don’t know what I’d be doing right now. They pushed me to do better and made me a leader. I’m proud of the person I am today.”

Norland has won four consecutive Class 6A state championships. The Florida record for consecutive state titles is five, held by Jacksonville’s Arlington Country Day (2005-2009) and Malone (1994-1998). Huell is hoping to be part of the team that equals the record.

“We play hard – we’re tough,” Huell said when asked to identify Norland’s core characteristics. “We have shooters, we have big guys, and we play defense.”

 

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