Nash selected to McDonalds game

Since his first varsity game as a freshman, Dallas Lincoln High School's LeBryan Nash has been an intimidating combination of a showstopper, a man among boys inside and a bigger man among men when necessary.

It was only right that the 6-foot-7, 230-pound Oklahoma State signee get rewarded with the ultimate honor in boys high school basketball Thursday afternoon. Nash was selected to play in the 2011 McDonald's All-American Game, which will take place March 30 at the United Center in Chicago.

Nash, a five-star forward ranked No. 4 nationally by Rivals.com (No. 1 in the state by TexasHoops.com), will be the fourth player from Lincoln's boys program to play in the prestigious game. Chris Bosh, now with the Miami Heat, played in the 2002 game. Nash's half-brother, former Oklahoma State guard Byron Eaton, played in the 2005 affair.

Nash currently is averaging 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists for a Lincoln team that is 25-2 on the season. He averaged 17.8 points and 10.2 points as a junior last season. Lincoln is coached by Leonard Bishop.

Few high school players possess the overall skills that Nash has. At 6-foot-7, he's powerful enough to get to the lane whenever he wants against smaller defenders. He also has an improving perimeter jumper that frustrates the larger defenders. He balances physical play with a finesse game, aggressiveness and athleticism with court savvy.

"Just watching him grow and mature into an All-American, that really has been rewarding," Bishop said. "He was good as a freshman, but he's so much better now because he's matured not just on the court but mentally."

Together with players such as Lincoln teammate Keaton Miles, Nash helped the Dallas Mustangs become one of the nation's top summer basketball programs this past season. The team won the Great American Shoot-Out in Duncanville, Texas, as well as the adidas Invitational in Indianapolis and the Real Deal in the Rock in Little Rock, Ark.

Nash will play for the West team in Chicago.