New Jersey basketball will once again take centerstage when the best players in the country convene in March.
Five Garden State players were named to the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Game roster. This year marks the 46th edition of the top high school all-star game in the country. Both the boys’ and girls’ games will be played on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Meet the players who made the cut for this year’s team!
DJ Wagner, Camden | Committed to Kentucky
Throughout his entire high school career, Wagner has been viewed as the consensus No. 1 ranked player in the Class of 2023. Wagner has yet again stepped up to the challenge in his senior season and is averaging 20.5 points per game for the Panthers. Wagner won a Group 2 state championship with Camden last year and is on pace to eclipse 2,000 career points this season. Wagner is a three-time JSZ All-Zone team selection – he won JSZ’s Mr. Hoop Zone Player of the Year in 2021 and was a Mr. Hoop Zone finalist last season.
Mackenzie Mgbako, Roselle Catholic | Committed to Duke
Mgbako’s blend of size, athleticism and shooting ability make him a rare and talented prospect. After spending three seasons at Gill St. Bernard’s, Mgbako joined an already talented Roselle Catholic squad and has emerged as one of their top players through the first six weeks of the season. Mgbako is averaging 16 points per game this year. He was a JSZ Mr. Hoop Zone finalist last season.
Aaron Bradshaw, Camden | Committed to Kentucky
Standing at 7’2″ tall, Bradshaw is the most physically-imposing defensive player there is in the state – and arguably in the nation. When he’s not swatting potential buckets, Bradshaw is looking to rock rims with vicious dunks. Bradshaw is averaging 12.8 points and 9.6 rebounds so far this season. He was a member of JSZ’s All-Zone public team last season.
Zoe Brooks, St. John Vianney | Committed to N.C. State
Zoe Brooks has brought her game to another stratosphere in 2023. The St. John Vianney guard has been instrumental in helping the Lancers rise to one of the best programs in the entire country. She dropped 30 points on Jan. 13 when SJV defeated No. 1 ranked Long Island Lutheran. She’s averaging 23.2 points per game and has 132 rebounds, 102 steals and 77 assists this winter. Brooks is a three-time JSZ All-Zone non-public team selection and was nominated for JSZ’s Miss Hoop Zone twice – once with Trenton Catholic and once with SJV.
Hannah Hidalgo, Paul VI | Committed to Notre Dame
Hannah Hidalgo has that killer mentality when she’s on the court and you’d be hard-pressed to find a player in the country who can take over a game quicker than she can. Hidalgo has already pumped in 471 points this winter and could end the year as the top girls’ point scorer in the state. She’s averaging 31.4 points per game to help Paul VI out to a 14-1 record. Hidalgo is a two-time JSZ All-Zone non-public selection and was nominated for JSZ’s Miss Hoop Zone Player of the Year award last season.
Former NJ Players on the Team
There are two additional players who no longer play high school basketball in New Jersey who also made the team. Former St. Augustine guard Elmarko Jackson (Kansas commit) and former Trenton Catholic forward Aalyah Del Rosario (LSU commit) were selected to be named McDonald’s All-Americans.
