MOSS POINT, Mississippi --- Devin Booker was informed in late January that he was chosen for the 2014 McDonald's All-American Game, but the recognition became more of a reality on Monday.
Booker's Moss Point teammates and classmates, along with school officials and local dignitaries, turned out in force for an afternoon celebration at McDonald's in Moss Point. Among those jammed into the restaurant lobby were Moss Point mayor Billy Broomfield, school board president Clifton Magee, superintendent Maggie Griffin and the Descher family, franchise owners of the Moss Point McDonald's location.
"It's really nice," Booker said. "It's a good showing; I didn't know there was going to be this many people here. Everybody in here played a special part in it. I'm just so happy we had the ceremony and I'm blessed with the opportunity to represent Moss Point in Chicago."
Booker --- a Kentucky signee --- is the first Mississippi Coast player chosen for the McDonald's All-American Game since Picayune's Jonathan Bender in 1999, and just the second from Moss Point. Litterial Green, who went on to the University of Georgia and the NBA, played in the 1988 game.
The McDonald's All-American Game, featuring 24 of the top players in the country in an East vs. West format, takes place April 2 at the United Center in Chicago. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
"I'm feeling good," Booker said. "I just got back from Atlanta watching Kentucky (in the SEC tournament), and I feel like I'm ready for that level. I just have to keep working hard, stay focused and I think I'll be fine."
Booker played in the Under Armour Elite 24 game in New York last summer and will play in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic in Jackson on Friday. Last week, the 6-foot-5 guard was chosen for the April 18 Jordan Brand Classic, another elite national all-star game that will be nationally televised.
Booker averaged 30.9 points per game as a senior, and finished as Moss Point's career scoring leader with 2,518 points in three seasons. Moss Point won the Region 8-4A regular-season and tournament championships, ending their season at 18-15 with a 61-56 loss to eventual state champion McComb in the South State tournament semifinals on Feb. 28.
"I wish that we could have played McComb in the championship," Booker said. "Raymond didn't give them much of a (game), and I know we did. You have to move on, but I wish I could have gotten a championship before I left."
Booker will find out Thursday if he is Mississippi's Gatorade Player of the Year for the second straight time. He won the award as a junior in 2012-13, when he averaged 29.6 points per game for the Tigers.
The complete list of Mississippians selected for the McDonald's All-American Game:
Boys
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (Chris Jackson), Gulfport, 1988
Litterial Green, Moss Point, 1988
James Robinson, Murrah, 1989
Othella Harrington, Murrah, 1992
Ronnie Henderson, Murrah, 1993
Jerod Ward, Clinton, 1994
Jonathan Bender, Picayune, 1999
Darius Rice, Lanier, 2000
Mo Williams, Murrah, 2001
Jackie Butler, McComb, 2003
Travis Outlaw, Starkville, 2003
Al Jefferson, Prentiss, 2004
Monta Ellis, Lanier, 2005
Johnny O'Bryant, East Side, 2011
Devonta Pollard, Kemper County, 2012
Devin Booker, Moss Point, 2014
Girls
Juanita Ward, Callaway, 2005
LaSondra Barrett, Murrah, 2008
April Sykes, East Oktibbeha, 2008