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Kansas Recruiting Targets Perform Well in McDonald's All-American Game

Cheick Diallo was a stud Wednesday night in the McDonald's All-American game, but he wasn't the only player on the Jayhawks' short list of 2015 recruits to play well.

By Mike_Norris
Kansas target Cheick Diallo was named MVP of the 2015 McDonald's All-American game.
Kansas target Cheick Diallo was named MVP of the 2015 McDonald's All-American game.
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

The McDonald's All-American high school basketball game is usually full of offense, and it was no different Wednesday as the East knocked off the West, 111-91, at Chicago's United Center.

Kansas Jayhawk fans however were focused on verbal commit Carlton Bragg, as well as a few others who could end up wearing Crimson and Blue next season.

Let's take a look at how some players on head coach Bill Self's radar performed during the game.

The MVP: Cheick Diallo

Diallo, a 6-foot-9, 218-pound power forward from Centereach, NY, is 247Sport's No. 6 overall player. However, he was number one Wednesday night. He poured in 18 points and 10 rebounds en route to earning the MVP award.

Diallo has narrowed his list to Iowa St., St. John's, Pitt, and Kentucky along with Kansas. He has yet to tip his hand, and 247Sports thinks it's neck-and-neck between KU and St. John's.

Here's the big fella making a spin move look easy.

The Jayhawk: Carlton Bragg

Bragg, a Cleveland product who has verbally committed to play for Self and the Jayhawks next year, didn't overwhelm, but had some nice moments in the game as well.

In just four minutes of action in the first half, the power forward had five points on 2-of-3 shooting, including a perfect windmill jam.

Bragg would finish with nine points and two rebounds, including a three-pointer, in just 14 minutes. With Kelly Oubre, Jr. declaring for the draft Wednesday, Self has two more options (three if Cliff Alexander leaves) to bring along side Bragg next year. Apparently, Bragg has a preference of who those two might be, and is doing some recruiting of his own.

The X-Factor: Brandon Ingram

Diallo may have won MVP, but it was Ingram who had those honors in the first half. The lanky, small forward listed as 247's No. 12 overall player had a game-high 13 points and grabbed five rebounds in the first 20 minutes.

He ended up only playing five minutes in the second half, but was the game's third-leading scorer with 15 points.

Ingram is definitely built different than most top recruits, measuring 6-8, and weighing just 180 pounds. But he uses that to his advantage, playing like a smaller Anthony Davis.

Also, this is not Brandon Ingram.

This is.

The Kinston, NC native might have a hard time leaving Tobacco Road, but he has said KU is definitely in his sights. 247 lists the Jayhawks as third in the race, behind Duke and UNC.

The Longshot: Stephen Zimmerman

Although anything can happen, see Andrew Wiggins to KU two years ago, most "experts" are predicting the talented seven-foot Zimmerman -- who finished with six points and six rebounds --  to stay out west near his home town of Las Vegas -- or even directly there at UNLV.

He's made it clear though that KU is still on his list, and this picture from last fall can't be a bad thing.

In addition to his talent of taking awkward photos, he also can dunk. I'll leave you with this from last night's game.

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