Syracuse Basketball: Benny Williams should be a McDonald’s All-American

Syracuse basketball 2021 five-star commit Benny Williams is having a strong senior season for the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., which is one of the premier prep-school programs around the country.

Williams, a 6-foot-8 forward, is ranked as high as No. 15 nationally in his class by Rivals.com. He also checks in at No. 25 overall via the 247Sports Composite.

So when the 2021 McDonald’s All-American roster came out, which includes 24 high-school players, and Williams didn’t make the cut, I have to admit that I was pretty darn surprised. So were a bevy of Orange fans, who voiced their opinions in chat rooms and on social media.

In digging around a bit online, I came across a tweet from Feb. 18 of this year that detailed the 2021 McDonald’s All-American nominees. As far as I can tell, Williams wasn’t even listed as a nominee. I don’t get that at all.

Now, there are various criteria to be named a McDonald’s All-American, and if Williams didn’t qualify for whatever reason, that’s the way it goes.

https://twitter.com/McDAAG/status/1364316560614060033

However, from my perspective, Williams got totally snubbed as it pertains to the 2021 McDonald’s All-American roster.

Syracuse basketball five-star commit Benny Williams didn’t get the nod as a 2021 McDonald’s All-American.

Eric Bossi, national basketball director for 247Sports, wrote an article about the latest recipients of the McDonald’s All-American game. He noted that, for the second-straight year, the actual McDonald’s All-American contest has been canceled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Per Bossi, the Atlantic Coast Conference received two placements on the 2021 McDonald’s All-American roster, with both players headed to Duke. The Southeastern Conference is leading the way, with six commits on the roster.

Bossi points out that several four-star prospects, as ranked by 247Sports, are named to the team. Williams, for context, is rated four stars by 247Sports, as well as No. 35 nationwide in the 2021 cycle.

Bossi included the 247Sports national ranking of each of the 24 players, and three of them are below Williams’ rating of 35th, coming in at No. 43, No. 50 and No. 94.

Again, no disrespect to these prospects, but Williams is No. 15 nationally from one recruiting service and No. 25 according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

The Syracuse basketball commit should have been a 2021 McDonald’s All-American.