McDonald committed to North Carolina

Photo by Nikki Boertman

Briarcrest Christian star Leslie McDonald is trying to keep a level head, despite being in the middle of a heated recruiting battle featuring the Tigers and the Volunteers.

Another high-profile Memphis-area high school basketball product is off to the Atlantic Coast Conference to play college ball.

Leslie McDonald, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound combo guard from Briarcrest Christian and the 2007-08 Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year, has committed to North Carolina following a visit with the Tar Heels and Duke over the weekend.

McDonald, whom Rivals.com ranks the No. 9 shooting guard prospect in the Class of 2009, is the second Memphis hoops star to commit to an ACC school in the last year, and the third since 2005, joining former St. George's star Elliot Williams (Duke) and former Mitchell High standout Thaddeus Young (Georgia Tech).

McDonald averaged 21 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals as a junior last season to help Briarcrest earn the Division 2-AA state title. He was named Mr. Basketball in D2-AA, and became the first junior to be named Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year in the program's history.

McDonald, who had also considered Duke, Georgetown, Ohio State, Tennessee and Memphis, is the fifth player from the Class of 2009 to commit to North Carolina.

More later online and in Wednesday's News Sentinel.