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McDonald's All Americans dish on who would be the last man standing in a 1-on-1 tournament

Brandon Ingram would be a tough mach-up in a McDonald's All American 1-on-1 tournament. / McDonald's AA

Brandon Ingram would be a tough mach-up in a McDonald’s All American 1-on-1 tournament. / McDonald’s AA

CHICAGO – One-by-one each of the 24 McDonald’s All Americans stood on the baseline at the Quest Multiplex at Monday’s McDonald’s All American practice session, threw the ball out to another player at the top of the key and tried to stop him from scoring.

“That’s the best drill,” East point guard Isaiah Briscoe said. “It’s head-up; me against you.”

That got us to thinking: Who would win a 1-on-1 tournament involving all of the players in this year’s game?

As you could probably guess, none of the players lack for confidence so we polled a handful of All Americans to find out, if they weren’t playing, which player would be crowned 1-on-1 champ.

Here’s what they said.

Malik Newman, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.), SG

College: Undecided

Here’s who’d win a 1-on-1 tournament involving only McDonald’s All Americans if I wasn’t playing … “Oh man that’s a good one; OK, here’s my last six that would be playing (Isaiah) Briscoe, (Antonio) Blakeney, Ben (Simmons), JB (Jaylen Brown), Allonzo (Trier) and (Dwayne) Bacon. I think it’d come down to… Oh man this is hard! OK, it’d come down to Ben and JB and whoever wins is who’s making jump shots that day.”

Thomas Bryant, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W.Va.), F

College: Undecided

Here’s who’d win a 1-on-1 tournament involving only McDonald’s All Americans if I wasn’t playing … “Wow, that’s hard to decide! I don’t know, it’d probably come down to Malik (Newman) vs. Isaiah (Briscoe). Malik might win because he’s just too good of a shooter!”

Luke Kennard, Franklin (Franklin, Ohio), SG

College: Duke

Here’s who’d win a 1-on-1 tournament involving only McDonald’s All Americans if I wasn’t playing… “That’s a great question! I think Malik Newman and Ben Simmons would be in the finals, but I’m gonna go with Ben. He’s got that size. Malik would give him a tough game because he’s so skilled offensively, but I think Ben would eventually win.”

Cheick Diallo, Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.), F

College: Undecided

Here’s who’d win a 1-on-1 tournament involving only McDonald’s All Americans if I wasn’t playing… “I think it would come down to Isaiah Briscoe and Jaylen Brown; wait, Ben (Simmons) is good too… Man this is hard. OK, I’m gonna stay with Briscoe and Jaylen. Then I’ve got Jaylen winning it.”

Malik Newman was a popular pick to win the 1-on-1 tournament. / McDonald's AA

Malik Newman was a popular pick to win the 1-on-1 tournament. / McDonald’s AA

Ben Simmons, Montverde (Montverde, Fla.), F

College: LSU

Here’s who’d win a 1-on-1 tournament involving only McDonald’s All Americans if I wasn’t playing… “I’d have to say Blake (Antonio Blakeney)! I say that because you’ll have to guard him from the NBA 3-point line because he’ll knock that shot down all day. But if you get up on him he’s gonna go by you and get to the rim. That guy hits crazy shots too! Yeah, he’d win.”

Antonio Blakeney, Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.), SG

College: LSU

Here’s who’d win a 1-on-1 tournament involving only McDonald’s All Americans if I wasn’t playing… “Oh man, I don’t know! Well, first I want to say that if I was playing that there’s no way I wouldn’t win; let me just say that, but this is a hard one. I think the final four, as long as I’m not playing, would be Ben (Simmons), Jaylen (Brown), Malik (Newman) and (Isaiah) Briscoe. Out of those four you could honestly just close your eyes and pick. But, again, if I was playing I would win!”

Allonzo Trier, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), SG

College: Arizona

Here’s who’d win a 1-on-1 tournament involving only McDonald’s All Americans if I wasn’t playing… “That’s tough because it really depends on whose day it is. It could be Malik (Newman), it could be Jaylen (Brown), it could Antonio (Blakeney), it could be Isaiah (Briscoe), it could be Dwayne (Bacon)… I think Jaylen might be able to overpower people a little bit so I’ll say him.”

Isaiah Briscoe, Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.), PG

College: Kentucky

Here’s who’d win a 1-on-1 tournament involving only McDonald’s All Americans if I wasn’t playing… “Well, since I’m not in it, I would have to say it’s up for grabs between Malik (Newman), Bake (Dwayne Bacon), Tone (Antonio Blakeney) and probably Ben (Simmons). Then again, Zo (Allonzo Trier) got somethin’ with him and JB (Jaylen Brown) too. Wait, why can’t I play? I’m winning that, NO doubt!”

Brandon Ingram, Kinston (Kinston, N.C.), SF

College: Undecided

Here’s who’d win a 1-on-1 tournament involving only McDonald’s All Americans if I wasn’t playing… “Jaylen Brown, he’s probably the most competitive guy out here. I think it’d come down to him and Ben Simmons, but I think, in the end, Jaylen would win.”

Follow Jason Jordan on Twitter: @JayJayUSATODAY

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