2 Hillcrest Hoopsters Nominated as McDonald's All-Americans

Two Hillcrest High School basketball players have been nominated to join the nation's elite McDonald's All-American hoops squad.

D.J. Brooks and Tre Smith are among the more than 800 top boy's and girl's players nationally named to compete for the final 24-player rosters, which will be released Feb. 14. The final rosters will be announced on ESPNU at 5 p.m. on that day.

If they make it onto the final roster, they will be invited to play in the McDonald's All American Games, taking place on April 3 at Chicago's United Center. The boy's game will be aired live on ESPN that night at 9:30 p.m.

Tre' Smith is a 6-foot-3 senior guard who developed into the most consistent and versatile player for the Rams last season. He averaged 17 ppg, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists and was an All-State selection in 2011-2012. Tre’ is a very unselfish player who will have a major impact for Hillcrest again this season, experts said. He has committed to play basketball next year at Charleston Southern University. 

Brooks, who has committed to play for Mercer University in Macon, Ga., is a two-time All-Region and All-County selection heading into his senior season at Hillcrest High. After a stellar junior campaign, the 6-foot-1 point guard has been named a class AAAA pre-season top-five senior by the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association. 

As a junior, Brooks averaged 10 points, five assists, and four rebounds per game while leading the Rams to a 22-5 record. In only three seasons with the team, Brooks has already contributed to 70 wins as a varsity player.  In the classroom, Brooks carries a 3.4 GPA and has been recognized as Hillcrest High School Student of the Month. He also maintains continuous involvement with various school activities sponsored by Student Council and was a member of the 2012 Homecoming court.

The two Rams players were among 10 nominated from South Carolina. Two other Upstate players, Charlendez Brooks of Byrnes High and LaBrian Shiflet of Greer High, also were nominated.

"This list of McDonald's All American Games nominees represents the finest prep talent in the country, and we are privileged to acknowledge them for their career success on the court, in the classroom, and in the community," said committee chairman Morgan Wooten. "Today we celebrate these young players, and we look forward to selecting the final team next month."