McDonald Picks American
Just the other day, Newman and Mass Rivals forward, Carson McDonald, announced his commitment to American University.
McDonald, a native of Colorado, entered New England for the 2023-24 season after starting his playing career at Vista Peak Prep in Aurora Colorado.
The forward has been a part of the quick found success at Newman as they made their first National Prep Championship tournament appearance last year, and were the #4 seed in the NEPSAC AAA Playoffs.
This season, Newman has high aspirations for the postseason as the Cardinals have positioned themselves as one of the top teams nationwide, and McDonald has played his own role in that.
Standing at 6’9, McDonald brings obvious size to the front court, but uses it well to impact the game in his own way. He does many things well like set screens, make the right pass, and puts a lot of effort into rebounding the ball. He fits very well in the system at Newman and is expected to translate right into what Coach Duane Simpkins has going at American.
While he’s not a known knockdown shooter, he’s shown that he can step out and hit open shots. In the paint, McDonald isn’t afraid to get physical and take contact on shots around the rim.
In a conversation with NERR, McDonald began by expressing gratitude to those who have supported him throughout his journey. “I would like to thank my prep school coaches as they stuck with me through my rough days and were constantly fueling me with positive thoughts and encouragement,” he said.
He continued, extending his appreciation to others who have played pivotal roles in his growth: “My recent AAU coaches as they pushed me to be better and tougher. My parents as they always wanted me to make a name for myself and encouraged me while never letting me have negative thoughts about anything.”
McDonald also reflected on the impact of his earlier influences. “Every coach I’ve had previously as they gave me a different feel and perspective of the game, shaping my own personal theme and rhythm of basketball,” he said. He made a heartfelt mention of his family, adding, “Both grandparents on both sides of my family as they are one of my biggest supporters and always supported me no matter the distance.”
When asked why he chose American University, McDonald spoke highly of the program’s culture and leadership. “American has an outstanding coaching staff that loves the game and is really connected with their players and have many amazing other people in the program that are not directly involved with the basketball team,” he shared.
While the basketball program was a major draw, McDonald emphasized the importance of the institution as a whole. “The campus is really open and really brings a college atmosphere to another level,” he explained. “It came down to two things for me as it’s really important to me to get a good education and have the ability to develop as a young man.”
McDonald becomes the fifth Elite 75 alumni from last year's College Showcase to commit to play at the Division 1 level for the 2025-26 season.
Carson McDonald