The 2015 McDonald’s High School All-American Game tipped off last night, adding to the annals of a game that’s seen every heavily hyped hooper in recent memory make an appearance. Dime got a chance to chat up a trio of players who appeared in the game, Malik Newman, Carlton Bragg and Dwayne Bacon.

MALIK NEWMAN

Malik Newman is a mystery, at least when it comes to deciding what his plans are for next year. Throughout the course of media interaction, Newman skipped questions when asked about where he might be headed.

“I can’t speak on that.”

Whether you believe the 6’3, 175-pound combo-guard will end up at powerhouse programs like Kentucky or Kansas, or upstart programs like LSU (to play alongside fellow McDonald’s All-Americans Ben Simmons and Antonio Blakeney) or Mississippi State (where his father Horatio Webster played, and who are now led by former UCLA Coach Ben Howland), there’s one thing everyone can agree on: Newman can get buckets. The third-ranked prospect finished his senior year with averages of 31.0 PPG, 5.5 RBG, and 4.6 APG. Before leading the West team in Wednesday’s All-American Game, the budding superstar took some time out of rapping to talk about game, his college decision, and more.

What’s this week been like, competing against the top players everyday, and doing charity work at the Ronald McDonald House?

It’s been great, it’s been everything I thought it would be. Everyone is out here competing and having fun; it’s been an experience.

I read that your High School, Callaway High School (MS), already retired your jersey while you were playing. What was that like?

You know it was great. It was a unique thing for my coach to do for me. I’m just happy and thankful who had a hand in doing it for me. I loved it there.

You’re sort of a combo guard, right? How would you classify your playing style?

Dynamic scorer.

What do you need to work on to get better as a player going forward?

One of the biggest things has been working on my defensive game, I think.

You’re being recruited pretty heavily by LSU, have Simmons and Blakeney been talking to you about it here?

Yeah, you know I think Antonio and Ben have been doing a great job. They told me that if I come in they’ll let me run the show and play my game and we can all can get in and out.

Mississippi State is going after you pretty hard, too. Have you talked to new Coach Ben Howland?

He just told me about his vision for Mississippi State, how he wants to turn things around there, and the players he’s sent to the NBA.

Your dad played at Mississippi State, right?

Yeah. But I don’t think he’ll be mad if I don’t go there.

The other big one is Kentucky. What are your thoughts on their season so far?

You know obviously they’re having a great season — all of them, the whole team is.

What do you like to do off the court? Who’s your favorite artist?

Yo Gotti!

What about 2K?

I’m probably the best 2K player here. We haven’t played much, we’ve been doing a lot of sleeping after practice, but I’m probably the best.

Do you watch of the NBA combo guards like Jamal Crawford and try to take things from their game?

I just try and watch a lot of different players, and try and take stuff from everyone.

What position do you think you’re going to play? You’ve always been a great scorer, but you’re a pretty good passer, too.

Yeah, definitely a point guard. It depends on the other players on the team, and what they need me to play. I think I’ll be ready for it.

Is that something that will play a big factor for you? Whether you’re a 1 or a 2?

It’s all about winning. If they need me to play the 1, I’ll play the 1. If they need me to play off the ball, I can play that. It’s just about what I’m best suited for the team.

DWAYNE BACON

Oak Hill Academy has long been home to one of the most distinguished and dominant high school programs in the nation. Just take a look at the complete list of NBA players who played at Oak Hill — there’s always one young star representing Oak Hill at the Mickey D’s All-American Game. This year, it’s Dwayne Bacon. In 2001, a 6’7 forward with a steady pull-up jumper starred on the team before heading to upstate New York to win an NCAA Title for the Syracuse Orange. While Dwayne Bacon is not quite the star Carmelo Anthony was coming out, he is ready to make a name for himself. Bacon won the Powerade Jamfest by clearing former NBA player Jalen Rose.

And yes, I said clear, because it looked liked Bacon had room between him and the 6’8 Rose! Before partaking in the All-American Game, Bacon sat down with Dime to talk about his game, Drake, and emulating Michael Jordan.

First off, how did using Jalen (Rose) come about?

I knew I needed one dunk, and Jalen Rose was there—who wouldn’t want to use Jalen Rose? So I just picked him out of the crowd, he was analyzing for ESPN, and it ended up being great.

Were you nervous at all? I mean he is a pretty tall guy.

I wasn’t nervous; I mean I jumped over my teammate who’s a 7-footer at Oak Hill Academy. I was just worried about just making it, flushing it, and it turned out great.

So how did you end up deciding on Florida State? They haven’t been very good the last couple years (Florida State finished 17-16 this year).

I just wanted to go somewhere where I can compete and work, and I got a chance to come in there and compete for a spot. I have a chance to work with a great defensive coach (Leonard Hamilton) and he’s going to help me with my defense. I mean, who doesn’t want to work on their game? I just want to go in there and compete and work on my defense and get better.

Is that your biggest goal going forward, working on your defense?

Yeah, I can put the ball in the basket, pass, and all that kind of stuff. I need to work on my defense.

Everyone knows who you are after that performance at the Powerade Jamfest, but how do you describe yourself as a player?

I can score the ball, that’s what I get all the time. But I can pass, I’m a very underrated passer. I’m just a player who loves to compete and enjoy the game while I can and that’s what I think everybody should takeaway when they see me play.

Do you watch any players in the NBA specifically to model your game after?

I watch old highlights of Michael Jordan a lot. A lot. I watch old highlights of him all the time. I mean we’re the same size— he’s a little bit more athletic than me, but I’m working on that, and I just have a dream to be just like him, and that’s what I’ going to fulfill.

Does that mean you’re trying to replicate his midrange game a little bit?

Yes! I do, and I’m going to start working on that, I mea I’ve already started but I want to work on it more. My midrange is pretty decent, but I’m trying to get it like his.

So what’s it been like being in Chicago, where he played for so many years?

It’s all been a great experience. I’m very blessed. Michael Jordan was a McDonald’s All American, and I’m blessed to have this opportunity to follow in his shoes.

Ok, off the court what do you like? Who’s your favorite musical artist? There have been some big albums out recently: Kendrick, Cole, Wale.

I love Drake. That is my favorite artist and I’m going to stick with Drake. He’s my favorite artist.

Ok, so is that a mixtape that he released, or is it an actual album? There’s been some debate about it.

Ha-ha, well I bought it off iTunes so I thought it was an album. It ended up being a mixtape that I could have gotten for free, but I don’t mind spending money on his music. He’s a great artist.

What’s going on at Cash Money right now? Are they beefing?

Uh, I don’t have an opinion. I listen to all those guys, so I’m going to stay out of it.

All right, fair enough. What’s your expectation for FSU and yourself next year?

Just to be a great team player, whatever they want me to do that’s what I’ll do. I just want to be great, man.

CARLTON BRAGG

On January 8, 2015 Carlton Bragg announced where he would play his college basketball career. The only problem was, he said the wrong school.

Flash-forward to the present, and Bragg’s gone from being a source of Internet humor to a cause for real misery for Wildcat fans next year. People tend to forget your mishaps when you do things like this:

The 6’9, 225-pound combo forward is long, athletic and versatile enough to go from flying to the hoop for a slam, to knocking down the open three-pointer. He’s also shown he can be one of the better defenders during McDonald’s practice; capable of the vicious blocks and quick steals. The Cleveland, Ohio native sat down with Dime to talk about his recruitment, expectations, and game before taking the court on Wednesday.

You’re from Cleveland, right? How did you end up choosing Kansas?

You know their style of play fit my style of play. Also, you know UCLA and Illinois play up and down; they play open. That’s how I like to play.

How would you describe your style of play?

You could say three, stretch-four. You know, I play inside out. I can shoot the three; I can run the floor; I can be the energy guy; I can be the point guard and push the ball up the floor.

What did Coach Self say your role would be next year?

The pick and pop, taking pressure off of the guards.

Do you think that you can fit into a system like the one at Kansas?

Yes, because Coach develops his fours and fives the best in the country.

The frontcourt should be pretty deep next year, even if Cliff Alexander departs. You’ve got Perry Ellis, Lucas, and Traylor. Do those guys’ games compliment the way you play well?

I believe so, yes. Once I get down there and play a couple games with them, they’ll get to know my game and I’ll get to know their game.

A lot of the big men here have pretty strong jump shots, including you. Is that something you’ve always had, or that you’ve added more recently to your game?

Yes, I always have been able to. I mean I worked on them. Coming into this McDonald’s Game, Coach was telling us how in college they iso it, you know they trap (the ball handler on a pick and roll), so you’ve got to be able to play the pick and pop game and shoot the 18-footer.

Do you think you’ll be taking a lot of those shots in college?

Oh, yes sir. Absolutely. It takes a lot of pressure of the guards, too.

Are there any players in the NBA that you try and mold your game after?

Carmelo Anthony and Paul George.

Both of those guys are wings more than big men, does that mean you’re looking to play on the wing at the next level?

Yes sir. I hope so. That’s what I’m working on this summer. Dribbling, passing, my court vision— a lot of things like that.

How has this experience been for you? You guys all seem so close with one another.

This experience has been great so far, I’m learning a lot from these guys.

Have there been any recruiting pitches going on with the undecided players? I know a lot of them still have Kansas on their radar.

I know, I’m trying to get Swanigan. Brandon Ingram. Stephen Zimmerman. Zimmerman’s my roommate so I’ve been trying to talk to him.

Sneaking in some pitches before bed, huh?

Ha-ha, for sure. You got take advantage of the opportunities that you have, you know?

Off the court, what do you like to do? Who do you listen to?

Meek Mill.

Meek Mill? He’s with Nikki now, right? And he’s out of jail. Is his album going to be out soon?

Oh, I don’t know. I think it’s going to be fire though. I just listen to him for motivation because we grew up in similar situations. They’re not the same but…

Similar environments.

Right.

Okay, looking towards next year again. What are your expectations?

Oh, we’re going deep into the tournament. I’m looking to forward to the Final Four, and once we get the Final Four, I’m looking for the Championship.

Speaking of the tournament, what did you think of the Jayhawks’ performance in March Madness this year?

I think that they could have done a lot better, you know. You can’t slip and have a bad game in the tournament, and I think that’s what they did.

(first video Ballislife 2.0)