(TILTON, NH)— Alex Oriakhi of Tilton School joined the ranks of high school basketball's elite with his selection to the 2009 McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Boys Game as a member of the East squad. A Lowell, MA resident and the only player selected from the New England region, Oriakhi will join 23 other top male basketball players in the country.

“Alex Oriakhi is one of the top players in the country and this is an enormous honor for him,” Coach Marcus O’Neil said. “His love for the game is evident on and off the court. This recognition is a testament to his determination and growth as an athlete,” said O’Neil.

Alex is averaging 17 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks per game. Tilton is currently 21-2 and ranked #8 in the national prep school poll. As a Junior, Alex was Co-MVP and that year the team won the NEPSAC Class B New England tournament.

“It is a great honor and a privilege to be the only New England athlete selected play in the McDonald's All American game,” said Oriakhi. “I am excited to play hard, have fun and meet my teammates and future opponents.” Oriakhi was recruited by the University of Connecticut and will play on the Huskies’ Men’s Basketball team this fall.

The Boys Game will tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET, Wednesday, April 1, at the BankUnited Center in Miami, Fla. and will air live on ESPN. The Girls Game will precede the Boys Game at 5:30 p.m. ET and will broadcast live on ESPNU.

Every athlete who participates in the McDonald’s All American Games visits the host city’s local RMHC® chapter. Proceeds from the 2009 Games will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of South Florida. Millions of dollars have been raised since the Game was first played in 1978.

“The All American Basketball Game is a great tradition of recognizing the excellent high school athletes in the United States while helping to raise funds for RMHC®,” said Edie Stevenson, Executive Director of RMHC® of Eastern New England, the local chapter.

Since it was organized in 1986, RMHC of Eastern New England has given over $17 million to organizations and programs helping thousands of children and families throughout Eastern New England. RMHC of Eastern New England provides on-going support to both the Boston and Providence Ronald McDonald Houses®, which provide a home away from home for the families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals and two Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles™. The Care Mobile in Worcester, Massachusetts provides medical and dental care to children with unmet healthcare needs, and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile in Rhode Island (a.k.a The Molar Express) provides dental care to children in 20 communities.

Since 1977, over 700 male players have competed in the McDonald’s All American Games, forming an elite list that reads like a "Who’s Who" in basketball history. McDonald’s All American athletes include basketball greats Alonzo Mourning, Magic Johnson, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant.