by Alex Schwartz

In less than one hour, the class of 2011 selections for the prestigious McDonald's All-American Game will be announced on ESPNU. The game, which will be played in Chicago on March 30, will feature 24 of the best high school seniors in America.

As is usually the case, some of the selections have already leaked. For example, Jody Demling mentioned seven players expected to be in the game. Nonetheless, not all of the names are out there yet.

Below is my projections of the 24 players who will be chosen by the committee to play in the 2011 McDonald's All-American Game. Note that this is a projection of who I think will be in the game, not who I think should be. I was 21/24 in projecting the 2010 game and 22/24 on the 2009 game.

I am basing this, to an extent, off of the game's selection process guidelines. This means that I am following the guidelines as far as positional requirements and such. In addition, keep in mind that fifth-year players (i.e. DeAndre Daniels and Michael Gbinije) and players who did not play in 50% of their high school team's games (i.e. Quincy Miller) are ineligible.

Without further ado, have a look at my predictions of the 2011 Burger Boys as well as six other candidates who just missed, for an even 30. All lists are in alphabetical order.

2011 McDonald's All-American Game Projections
Brad Beal, Chaminade (MO), Florida
Chane Behanan, Bowling Green (KY), Louisville
Khem Birch, Notre Dame Prep (MA), Pitt
Wayne Blackshear, Morgan Park (IL), Louisville
Kentavious Caldwell, Greenville (GA), Georgia
Rakeem Christmas, Academy of the New Church (PA), Syracuse
Quinn Cook, Oak Hill Academy (VA), Duke
Anthony Davis, Perspectives Charter (IL), Kentucky
Dorian Finney-Smith, IC Norcom (VA), Virginia Tech
Michael Gilchrist, St. Patrick's (NJ), Kentucky
PJ Hairston, Hargrave Military Academy (NC), North Carolina
Nick Johnson, Findlay Prep (NV), Arizona
Myck Kabongo, Findlay Prep (NV), Texas
Trevor Lacey, Butler (AL), uncommitted
James McAdoo, Norfolk Christian (VA), North Carolina
LeBryan Nash, Lincoln (TX), Oklahoma State
Marshall Plumlee, Christ School (NC), Duke
Austin Rivers, Winter Park (FL), Duke
Shannon Scott, Milton (GA), Ohio State
Marquis Teague, Pike (IN), Kentucky
Adonis Thomas, Melrose (TN), Memphis
Kyle Wiltjer, Jesuit (OR), Kentucky
Tony Wroten, Jr., Garfield (WA), Washington
Cody Zeller, Washington (IN), Indiana

Last Three In
Chane Behanan
Trevor Lacey
Marshall Plumlee

First Three Out
Jabari Brown, Oakland (CA), Oregon
Branden Dawson, Lew Wallace (IN), Michigan State
Ben McLemore, Oak Hill Academy (VA), uncommitted

Next Three Out
Johnny O'Bryant, East Side (MS), LSU
Josiah Turner, Quality Education Academy (NC), Arizona
BJ Young, McCluer North (MO), Arkansas

Note- photo is of Austin Rivers and is from http://aaunews.org/news/