Three Montverde Academy players are chosen in the McDonald’s All-American Roster.
January 28, 2022 (Montverde, FL) – The McDonald’s All-American Roster came out with big wins for Montverde Academy’s boys’ and girls’ basketball teams. Dariq Whitehead, Dillon Mitchel, and Janiah Barker are among the players chosen. The 2022 All-American Roster contains 48 names, with Montverde Academy having three.
“I’m super excited about going to college and starting my legacy at the University of Georgia and this accomplishment is just a dream come true,” said Janiah Barker, a senior student at Montverde Academy. “I just thank God. I’m going to keep grinding and dreaming big.” Barker ranks No. 3 in the ESPNW Class of 2022 Basketball Ranking and is the first female basketball player from the Academy to not only make the All-American Roster but to be unanimously voted in. Barker is already committed to the University of Georgia and is a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist.
Dariq Whitehead, another player chosen in the roster, ranks No. 4 on ESPNM Class of 2022 Basketball Rankings, joining his teammate Dillon Mitchell who is ranked No. 7. Whitehead and Mitchell are two of the 24 basketball players from around the nation to make the roster. Whitehead is committed to Duke University and Mitchell is committed to the University of Texas.
“The Academy continues to have representation in the McDonalds All-American games each year and that is something we are very proud of, and it’s especially exciting to have our first female McDonalds All-American Janiah Barker.,” said Khrystal Phiri, Director of Athletic Operations at Montverde Academy. “This is a lifelong dream for these athletes, and it is a pleasure to watch them reach their dream. We look forward to cheering them on in March!”
The McDonald’s All-American Games will be held at Wintrust Area in Chicago, IL on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. The annual girls’ game will air on ESPN2 at 6:30 p.m. while the boys’ game will immediately follow on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET.