‘Meal Ticket’ doc goes deep into the real history of the incomparable McDonald’s All-American Games

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Before becoming a basketball legend, Paul Pierce was a high school senior incredibly excited to participate in the 1995 McDonald’s All-American Game. This nationally televised event has highlighted the top 24 high school players in the country annually since 1978.

Michael Jordan set the McDonald’s All-American Game scoring record with 30 points in 1981, just a month after turning 18. Fourteen years later, Isaiah Pierce played exceptionally well, but had to finish the game wearing a jersey with the name “McCoy” on the back because his own was stolen.

The commentators thought McCoy scored several times, and it seemed like the official scorekeeper was having trouble following along. While the scorebook showed Pierce with 28 points, he himself remembered scoring over 30.

He carefully reviewed the game footage and confirmed that the player had indeed scored 31 points. However, this score wasn’t officially recorded in the McDonald’s record book, so Michael Jordan remained the record holder until Jonathan Bender also scored 31 points in 1999.

“Meal Ticket,” a new documentary by filmmakers Corey Colvin and Carlton Gerard Sabbs, is filled with engaging and thought-provoking stories. The film, a result of extensive research and dedication, will become available on Prime Video this Thursday.

Jordan also felt wronged by McDonald’s, though the issue actually stemmed from his mother’s concerns. Despite setting a new scoring record and making crucial shots – including the game-winner – during the final minutes of the 1981 East team’s 96-95 victory, he wasn’t named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Deloris Jordan expressed her frustration as they left the arena, telling Billy Packer, “It’s just sad for Michael. My son never seems to get the credit or respect he deserves.”

Her son’s incredible success would soon be recognized, starting with leading his college team, North Carolina, to the national championship as a freshman – hitting the game-winning shot once again. He then led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in just eight years, also earning ten scoring titles. Michael Jordan is almost universally considered the best basketball player ever.

The documentary “Meal Ticket,” created by Roc Nation, Known Originals, and Creative Control, tells the story of the McDonald’s All-American Games, which has been running for 49 years. Featuring interviews with nearly 50 basketball legends who have been inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame, the film looks back at the history of the event.

For many of the young players, this was their national television debut. Still teenagers at 17 or 18, they were enthusiastic, determined, and ready to compete. Directors Colvin and Sabbs, after reviewing extensive game footage and behind-the-scenes materials from McDonald’s and ESPN, created a film that combines exciting plays with heartwarming recollections.

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Colvin explained that the McDonald’s All-American Game offers a clear look at the future of basketball. He believes its significance has been overlooked, stating, ‘If you want to see where basketball is headed, pay attention to the players in the McDonald’s game.’

A major turning point was when founder Bob Geoghan added girls’ basketball to the event. Starting in 2002, the event featured both boys’ and girls’ games in a doubleheader format, which quickly became very popular.

Two years after entering the WNBA, Candace Parker made history by winning the Slam Dunk Contest. She beat out future NBA players like JR Smith and Josh Smith. The documentary reveals that her win was so unexpected, even her own brother didn’t believe her at first and hung up the phone when she told him. This is just one of the many fascinating stories uncovered by filmmakers Colvin and Sabbs.

I’ve been following these filmmakers from Chicago’s South Side for a while, and it’s amazing to see how far they’ve come. They actually started out making branded content, but thankfully had the guidance of directors Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, who really believed in them. With their help, they were able to pitch a fantastic idea for a documentary to McDonald’s back in 2022 – a truly inspiring beginning!

Initial worries that McDonald’s would heavily control the film’s creative direction proved unfounded. They not only allowed the filmmakers to tell the story as they saw fit, but also shared valuable game footage without interfering with the editing process.

Sabbs expected McDonald’s to be heavily involved in promoting the brand, but they turned out to be supportive partners. He even worried about the name ‘Meal Ticket’ – it was a bit risky with multiple meanings – but McDonald’s approved it without interfering. They gave the team space to work, and whenever McDonald’s representatives visited, everyone knew there would be french fries!

Sabbs and Colvin stuck closely to McDonald’s official account of events, but they did acknowledge the importance of Geoghan in starting the Games. He attracted support from basketball legends like John Wooden, the famous former UCLA coach with ten national championships, as well as Sonny Vaccaro and Sonny Hill, because he promised to donate the Games’ profits to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The documentary followed four young basketball players – two boys and two girls – during the 2022 McDonald’s All-American Games. A touching part of the film focuses on the memory of Bill Geoghan, who passed away in February 2022 at the age of 87, and the tribute held for him at the Games a month later.

During filming in 2022, it was clear how much everyone admired Bob,” Sabbs explained. “Before the game, they honored him with a tribute on the Jumbotron, placing a Bob Geoghan jersey and a dozen roses on his usual seat.

Bob wasn’t motivated by money from the McDonald’s All-American Game; people say he even passed away without much savings. I hope this movie brings attention to his important contributions to basketball and honors his family. He truly deserves to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and I’m hoping this helps make that happen.

Everything suggests Geoghan wanted to highlight the success of players who went on to have great professional careers after being featured in the showcase, and the impact of the event itself. California, in particular, has consistently sent the most players to the McDonald’s All-American games for both boys and girls. Just looking at those players who later played for the Lakers is incredibly impressive.

High School Sports

Christian Collins, Jason Crowe Jr., Maximo Adams, and Brandon McCoy will represent the boys in the McDonald’s All-American Game on March 31st in Glendale, Arizona.

The annual McDonald’s All-American Game has showcased many future NBA stars. Magic Johnson played in the very first game in 1978, and the following year featured players like James Worthy, Isiah Thomas, Dominique Wilkins, and Ralph Sampson. Later standouts included Shaquille O’Neal, who was named MVP in 1989, and Kobe Bryant, who thrilled audiences with his impressive plays in 1996. JJ Redick earned MVP honors in 2002, also winning the three-point contest, while LeBron James was MVP in 2003.

Bryant and James famously went straight from high school to the NBA, bypassing college. Amar’e Stoudemire was another player who did the same, and he quickly established himself as a powerful force, even playing alongside other future stars.

In the documentary, Stoudemire explains he wasn’t a finesse player. ‘I wasn’t about layups,’ he says. ‘I was all about powerfully attacking the basket – hard enough to literally shake the backboard.’ He believes that’s when people realized he was destined for the NBA, not college. ‘By the time we were done,’ he jokes, ‘the rim probably needed some repairs!’

J.R. Smith decided to turn pro after high school following a standout performance in the 2004 McDonald’s All-American Game, where he scored 25 points with impressive dunks and jump shots. Although he initially committed to the University of North Carolina, he’d been open about not wanting to attend.

After the game, Smith ran through the hotel hallways shouting, “I’m going to the league!”

The annual basketball games will be held on March 31st at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The West boys team will feature players Brandon McCoy Jr. and Maximo Adams from Sierra Canyon, Christian Collins from St. John Bosco, and James Crowe Jr. from Inglewood. Representing the girls, Jerzy Robinson (Sierra Canyon) and Cyndee Bryant (Corona Centennial) will participate.

Despite players now earning money through NIL deals, the top high school basketball recruits competing in the McDonald’s All-American Games haven’t changed their attitudes or preparation.

According to Colvin, some people claim players don’t take all-star games seriously anymore because they’re making so much money easily. However, he points out that the players are still clearly competing – they’re playing strong defense and giving it their all. He believes the McDonald’s All-American Games continue to be a good indicator of the future of the sport, especially regarding the growing opportunities for female athletes and the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, and he hopes this is reflected in the film being made about the event.

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2026-03-17 20:32