HispanicBusiness

OAK BROOK, IL -- (Marketwire) -- 03/18/13 -- The McDonald's All American® Games and Morgan Wootten, Hall of Fame coach and Selection Committee Chair, named Jabari Parker and Taya Reimer winners of the 2013 Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award today during a press event in Chicago, Ill. for their accomplishments on and off the court.

Parker, the 6-8, 240 lb. prep star from Simeon Career Academy in Chicago, Ill. is the 17th winner of the annual male Morgan Wootten Award. Previous winners include Shabazz Muhammad (2012), Austin Rivers (2011), Kevin Love (2007), Dwight Howard (2004), LeBron James (2003), Jay Williams (1999) and the award's first recipient, Shane Battier (1997). Parker beat out finalists: Aaron Gordon (Archbishop Mitty - San Jose, Calif.), Aaron Harrison (William B. Travis - Richmond, Texas), Andrew Harrison (William B. Travis - Richmond, Texas), Dakari Johnson (Montverde Academy (Fla.) - New York, N.Y.) and Andrew Wiggins (Huntington Prep (W.Va.) - Thornhill, Ont.).

Reimer, the 6-3 standout from Hamilton Southeastern in Indianapolis, Ind. is the daughter of 1991 McDonald's All American Ben Davis. The pair makes up the first father/daughter duo in Games history. Reimer is the 12th annual female winner, joining Breanna Stewart (2012), Elizabeth Williams (2011), Maya Moore (2007), Tina Charles (2006), Candace Parker (2004) and Ivory Latta (2003), among others. Reimer takes home the honor over finalists: Lexie Brown (North Gwinnett - Suwanee, Ga.), Kaela Davis (Buford High School - Buford, Ga.), Diamond DeShields (Norcross - Norcross, Ga.), Linnae Harper (Whitney Young - Chicago, Ill.) and Mercedes Russell (Springfield High - Springfield, Ore.).

The Morgan Wootten Award is given annually to the best male and female McDonald's All American players who exemplify outstanding character, exhibit leadership and embody the values of being a student-athlete in the classroom and the community. McDonald's established the award in Wootten's honor to pay tribute to his unprecedented achievements as a teacher and coach. The official award presentation will take place at the McDonald's All American Games awards banquet on April 2 in Chicago, Ill.