Basketball Standout From SJV, Holmdel, To Play In McDonald's Games

HOLMDEL, NJ — In a first for Saint John Vianney High School, Zoe Brooks of the school's Lady Lancers basketball team was picked for the 2023 McDonald’s All American Games, the company announced.

Brooks was one of 24 players selected from more than 722 high school basketball hopefuls across the country. The games will be later in March at the Toyota center in Houston.

One of the starting guards for the Lady Lancers, Brooks, of Plainfield, was nominated by her coach.

She is a senior who has played for the team the past two years and is on the starting lineup and one of the team captains, the Athletic Department said.

The McDonald's Games have been a "proving ground" for athletes, the company says.

On Feb. 24, McDonald’s owner/operator Alana Marinello, who operates six McDonald’s restaurants in New Jersey, joined Saint John Vianney High School’s girls’ basketball coach Dawn Karpell and community members before the school’s home game to celebrate Brooks for her achievements, presenting her with a McDonald’s All American Games jersey.

“I am proud to join the community to celebrate Zoe and wish her luck as she goes on to represent her family, her school, and New Jersey in McDonald’s All American Games,” said Marinello.

“McDonald’s has been investing in the future of basketball and local communities through the McDonald’s All American Games for over four decades, and we are excited to recognize Zoe with an honorary game jersey as she marks this tremendous achievement.”

Brooks is one of the top players in the nation and has been a stand-out player this season, averaging 23 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game for Saint John Vianney. She is set to attend North Carolina State University in the fall, according to a news release from the company.

There are lots of ways to check out the activities at the McDonald's All American Games, either at Houston or at home:

• Tickets to the POWERADE sport drink Jam Fest on Monday, March 27, are available through a donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in the amount of $1 or more here.
• Tickets to the McDonald’s All American Games at Toyota Center on Tuesday, March 28 are available here.
• Fans can tune in to the POWERADE Jam Fest on Monday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
• The 2023 McDonald’s All American Girls Game will air on Tuesday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN2 and the Boys Game will immediately follow on ESPN at 9 p.m.

A news release regarding the games says Brooks "follows in the footsteps of all-time legends who have been named to the McDonald’s All American Games final rosters – names like Skylar Diggins-Smith, Derrick Rose, Sabrina Ionescu and Zion Williamson and many more."

You can follow the games on social media: Follow @McDAAG on Instagram and TikTok for the latest news and announcements.

For more information about McDonald's, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow the company on Twitter @McDonalds and on Facebook.