Nix fourth Alaskan selected for McDonald’s All-American Game
Daishen Nix
Daishen Nix of Anchorage has been compared to Alaska basketball royalty for the last two seasons, but that speculation was based on projections.
Now his merit is founded on fact.
Nix’s greatness was validated after the 6-foot-5 guard was selected for the glamorous McDonald’s All-American Game, which recognizes the nation’s top 24 boys high school basketball players.
Nix is the fourth McDonald’s All-American from Alaska, joining Anchorage’s Mario Chalmers (2005), Juneau’s Carlos Boozer (1999) and Anchorage’s Trajan Langdon (1994).
The UCLA-bound baller plays for Trinity International of Las Vegas after leaving his hometown four years ago. He is town right now at the Alaska Airlines Classic at West High and was made aware of his McDonald’s selection before his first game of the tournament.
“First off, I’d like to thank the people at McDonald’s for recognizing my gifts and God,” Nix told the crowd. “Next, I’d like to thank all my family and my friends for all their support. Thank you, mom. Thank you to my family. Thank you to everybody that’s here. Alright, let’s play ball.”
A huge crowd packed the West gymnasium, with fans showing up in droves to watch Nix play in person. He scored 20 points despite missing much of the game with foul trouble in Trinity’s 65-58 win over the Colony Knights. The Classic continues through Saturday.
The McDonald’s All-American Game will be played April 1 in Houston, Texas.
Here is a look back on how Alaska’s Big 3 fared in the All-American game:
Mario Chalmers
Mario Chalmers
Bartlett
6-2 180 G
2005 McDonald’s All-American
2005 Third-Team Parade All-American
Team West lost 115-110
Chalmers collected 20 points, 5 assists and 5 steals in the McDonald’s All-American Game. He also won the 3-point contest. He went on to play at the University of Kansas and led the Jayhawks to the 2008 NCAA championship against Memphis, hitting a clutch 3-pointer at the end of regulation to force overtime.
Carlos Boozer
Carlos Boozer
Juneau-Douglas
6-8 245 F
1999 McDonald’s All-American
1998 Third-Team Parade All-American
1999 First-Team Parade All-American
Team West won 141-128
Boozer bagged 22 points and 11 rebounds, the only Alaskan to post a double-double in the McDonald’s All-American Game. He went on to play at Duke University and led the Blue Devils to the 2001 NCAA championship against Arizona.
Trajan Langdon
Trajan Langdon
East Anchorage
6-4 197 G
1994 McDonald’s All-American
1994 Second-Team Parade All-American
Team West lost 112-110
Langdon pumped in 13 points in the first appearance by an Alaskan in the McDonald’s All-American Game. He won the 3-point contest. He went on to play at Duke University and led the Blue Devils to the 1999 NCAA title game against Connecticut.