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The McDonald's All-American Games announced Wednesday it will remain in Chicago for at least five more years.

The games were held at Chicago's United Center in 2011 and set a record for attendance with 19,909 tickets sold. The games returned to the United Center in 2012.

The deal announced Wednesday will keep the games in Chicago until 2015 and includes an option for 2016. The 2013 games will be held at the United Center on April 3.

"This is a historic day for the McDonald's All American Games," McDonald's All American Games director Douglas Freeland said in a statement. "Fans throughout the U.S. can now make Chicago their 'destination' to see the greatest high school basketball players participate in this annual rite of passage."

The 2013 games' nominees will be revealed in January and the teams will be announced in February.

The Chicago area was represented by three girls players (Whitney Young's Janee Thompson, Niles West's Jewell Loyd, Bolingbrook's Morgan Tuck) and no boys in 2012. The 2013 games are expected to include at least Simeon forward Jabari Parker, the nation's No. 1 senior.

Illinois has produced 74 McDonald's All-Americans, including 60 boys and 14 girls. The state ranks third behind California (123) and New York (84).

Journeys.

If we are honest with ourselves, we know that they never really begin where we think they begin and they hardly ever end when we think it's the end.

The journey to get the story of Ben Wilson's life told on (and through) film started long before directors Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah were given the green light to start telling one of the most compelling stories in the history of Chicago -- and one of the most traumatic, misunderstood and unforgiving stories in sports.

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LOMBARD, Ill. -- This weekend’s first-ever “Midwest Workout” highlighted 45 players selected from Illinois and the surrounding region. The concept was to bring in three groups of 15 players and put them through roughly an hour of drills, implement basic principles and then allow 30 minutes of controlled play using the concepts learned.

Mike Procopio, a former scout with the Boston Celtics and operator of Hoop Consultants, conducted the five-hour workout.

From an evaluation standpoint, the event allowed you to see how a prospect reacts to the implementation of concepts and gauge an overall skill level. There were players ranging from low to high major. In an era where exposure events are the rage, Procopio’s workout was a welcomed change where real basketball concepts were taught and emphasized. In short, the 45 kids who were hand picked to attend were subject to improvement.

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Simeon senior forward Kendall Pollard committed to Dayton on Friday.

Pollard, a 6-foot-7 small forward, chose the Flyers over Rhode Island. He’s ranked the 35th small forward in the country and the state’s eighth best prospect by ESPN.

“They’re getting a skilled wing,” Simeon coach Robert Smith said. “I think they’re getting a steal. Dayton fits his style.”

Pollard is the third Simeon senior to commit to a Division I program this year. Point guard Jaylon Tate and shooting guard Kendrick Nunn committed to Illinois. Smith expects possibly four more seniors, including No. 1-ranked Jabari Parker, to accept D-I scholarships this season.

“I tell people all the time, we take guys who understand basketball,” Smith said. “We help them get to the next level. They’re comfortable playing for us because of our past success.”

Pollard is Dayton’s third Class of 2013 commitment. He joins point guard Putnam Science Academy (N.Y.) point guard Dayton Smith and Morgan Park (Chicago) point guard Kyle Davis.

Bolingbrook senior forward Ben Moore committed to Southern Methodist on Tuesday.

Moore, a 6-foot-7 forward, chose the Mustangs over Colorado State and Illinois. Moore was the second Chicago-area recruit to commit to SMU in the past week. Proviso East (Maywood, Ill.) senior guard Sterling Brown committed to the Mustangs on Monday.

Southern Methodist coach Larry Brown was the first high-major coach to recruit Moore.

“Coach Brown from the very first time pegged Moore,” Bolingbrook coach Ben Brost said. “The first night I talked to him, (Brown) described what I had been seeing for the last six months. Just the way (Moore) has a feel for the game, the way he can get to where he needs to on the dribble, and he has a nose for the basketball. I’ve seen what he can do, especially in the last six months. It’s been rewarding for him and for me also to see the attention he deserves, and his recruitment to go up as it has.”

Moore’s recruitment has increased since his junior season.

“He’s such a strong ball handler for his size,” Brost said. “He can get to anywhere he wants to go on the floor. And obviously he can score in bunches as well. He’s perceived like an elite player.

“Last year our first game he had a triple-double with 11 blocks, so he played really, really well last year. But people perceived him as a post player, and he’s a wing with the way he can handle the ball. He’s a 3-4 combo type player at this level. Now, people are seeing he can play at this level.”

Moore has improved in some areas, but Brost does expect him to grow in even more areas.

“The things that are going to translate (to college) are he has a nose for the ball, he can finish around the basket, the ball handling really translates, getting where he wants to be on the floor,” Brost said. “Obviously he needs to get stronger, and his jump shot needs to improve, but those are two things that can improve as you get older and you work on them and get more reps.”

SMU assistant coach Jerrance Howard’s connections into the Chicago area helped pay off again for the Mustangs. Howard was hired by SMU after leaving the Illini after last season. Howard has helped with Chicago recruits Brown, Moore and Illinois transfer and former Proviso East High School guard Crandall Head.

Moore is SMU’s second Class of 2013 recruit. He joins Sterling Brown in the recruiting class.

CHICAGO -- Simeon Career Academy (Chicago) forward Jabari Parker, the nation's No. 1-ranked senior, doesn't plan to commit and sign during the early signing period, his father said on Tuesday.

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Proviso East senior shooting guard Sterling Brown committed to Southern Methodist on Monday.

Brown, a 6-4 guard, visited SMU over the weekend and informed SMU and the other schools recruiting of his decision on Monday. He also considered DePaul, Miami, Northwestern, Providence, South Carolina, Tennessee and Xavier.

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Seton Academy senior forward Alex Foster committed to Minnesota on Saturday.

Foster, a 6-8 forward, chose the Golden Gophers over Auburn and Tennessee. Foster is ranked the No. 59 power forward in the country and the No. 46 prospect in the region by ESPN.

“I felt it was as good of a fit as I had throughout the process,” Foster said. “I went on a visit there and everything was good.”

Foster will join former high school and club teammate Alvin Ellis in Minnesota’s 2013 recruiting class. Foster played with Ellis at De La Salle Institute in Chicago the past three seasons before transferring to Seton, which is in South Holland, Ill., and also played with him on MeanStreets, a club team.

“I wouldn’t say it was a huge factor,” Foster said of Ellis. “But he had something to do with it. We have good chemistry.”

Foster averaged 13.9 points and 10 rebounds last season at De La Salle.

Minnesota now has two commitments in its 2013 recruiting class.

Colin McGovern's recruitment started off slow as he was a relatively unknown offensive line prospect. But things changed quickly after his junior year, and today the Notre Dame commit and UA All-American is regarded as one of the nation's top offensive linemen.

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Rated the nation’s No. 4 wide receiver and No. 38 recruit in the ESPN 150, Crete-Monee (Crete, Ill.) wide receiver Laquon Treadwell sets an example for his younger brother with the hard work he puts in off the field.

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The basketball future of Chicago Simeon Career Academy forward Jabari Parker, the nation's No. 1-ranked senior, could be affected by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' recent decision to lower the age minimum for men to serve a mission, his father said Monday.

Church president Thomas S. Monson announced Saturday at the 182nd Semiannual General Conference that Mormon men who have graduated from high school may go on their two-year missions at 18 rather than the previous age of 19.

"I am not suggesting that all young men will -- or should -- serve at this earlier age," Monson said. "Rather, based on individual circumstances, as well as upon a determination by priesthood leaders, this option is now available. ... We affirm that missionary work is a priesthood duty -- and we encourage all young men who are worthy and who are physically able and mentally capable, to respond to the call to serve."

Parker, who is Mormon and will turn 18 in March, had planned on attending college for at least one year, then deciding whether to go on a mission or enter the NBA draft. Parker told Sports Illustrated he was torn between heading on a mission and his dream of playing in the NBA.

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Simeon Career Academy (Chicago) forward Jabari Parker, the nation's No. 1-ranked senior, cut his list to five schools on Friday, and it includes BYU, Duke, Florida, Michigan State and Stanford.

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Simeon Career Academy forward Jabari Parker, the nation's No. 1-ranked senior, has scheduled an official visit to Florida to go along with his upcoming visits to Duke and Michigan State, his high school coach said Thursday.

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Now that nationally-ranked point guard Demetrius Jackson has opted for Notre Dame rather than Illinois, one alternative option may be up I-57 again and into Chicago.

Simeon coach Robert Smith believes the Illini should give his own point guard, Jaylon Tate, a chance.

Tate, a 6-foot-2 guard, has received interest from mostly mid-major programs so far. Missouri State, Ohio, Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky and Wisconsin-Green Bay are among the schools recruiting him.

But since Simeon began holding open gyms for college coaches last week, Tate has been creating some buzz. Georgetown asked about him this week, and Illinois, according to a source, has taken notice as well.

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De La Salle senior guard Alvin Ellis committed to Minnesota on Sunday.

Ellis, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, chose the Gophers over Butler, Kansas State and Northwestern. He is ranked the No. 94th shooting guard in the country by ESPN. He averaged 16 points last season.

“It was a good fit for me,” Ellis said. “Coaching staff told me I have an opportunity to play. I’ll try to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Ellis is Minnesota’ first Class of 2013 commitment.