The McDonald’s All-American Games, which annually feature the best players from North America, has become synonymous with recognizing top high school basketball talent. 

The city of Winchester has reason to be proud. 

Senior Ciara Byars, a member of the highly-ranked George Rogers Clark Lady Cardinals basketball team and University of Michigan commit, has been nominated for the 2025 McDonald’s All American Games taking place on April 1 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, where the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets host home games. 

Byars is one of only four Kentucky girls – along with Grace Mbugua of Danville Christian Academy, Leah Macy of Bethlehem and ZaKiyah Johnson of Sacred Heart  – to be nominated. 

According to a press release, players were nominated by a high school coach, athletic director, principal or member of the McDonald’s All American Games based on competitive criteria that includes athletic achievement, academic achievement, meeting behavioral standards, and more. 

Byars joins an elite group of female athletes that have been previously nominated to participate – including the WNBA’s Candace Parker and Breanna Stewart. 

The top 24 girls and 24 boys will be revealed later this month and announced across ESPN’s various social and digital platforms 

A complete list of 2025 McDonald’s All American Games nominees for both East and West teams can be found at the @MCDAAG Instagram page. 

While tickets to the 2025 McDonald’s All American Games are now available at mcdaag.com, fans who can’t make it to Brooklyn will have a chance to watch the Girls Game on Tuesday, April 1 at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN 2. 

Follow @McDAAG on X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest news and announcements leading up to the 2025 McDonald’s All American Games.