Briscoe named McDonalds All-American

It's strange for John Calipari to have only one commitment in the McDonald's All-American game, but that's where the Wildcats stood when the rosters were announced Wednesday.

But the 2015 class isn't over, and by the time the game takes place on April 1, the Cats could have up to eight other players join Isaiah Briscoe in the game in Chicago.

Kentucky commit Charles Matthews wasn't included in the 24-man event, and fellow UK commit Skal Labissiere was ineligible for it.

Briscoe becomes John Calipari's 21st McDonald's All-American. He is UK player No. 53 to play in the McDonald's All-American game.

"It's big for Isaiah, but he still has to keep working," Isaiah's father, George Briscoe, told Cats Illustrated.

Briscoe is averaging over 21 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game for his Roselle, N.J. Catholic high school.

For now, Briscoe will be the lone Wildcat, but his father is confident he'll be playing with some future teammates down the road.

"I'm sure some of those guys will end up at Kentucky," George Briscoe said. "I won't throw out names of who though."

One possible candidate could be Thomas Bryant.

Bryant, the No. 36 player in the country, and a four-star, could be considered a surprise burger boy.

His Huntington Prep head coach Arkell Bruce spoke with Cats Illustrated about the center being included.

"I just found out when everyone else did," Bruce said. "We like to be surprised. We were all anxiously waiting. We didn't want to dig into anyone's brain or anything. It's great news. He's very excited and it's a blessing."

Bryant is down to Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri and Syracuse and has caught the eye of Calipari. UK's coach has watched him several times over the last month.

And despite Bryant being a four-star, Bruce says he deserves to be in a game featuring the best of the best.

"He's as good as any big man in the country," Bruce said. "Any big man that played against him on the USA team, AAU or in high school knows that. He's 6-foot-11, he's long and he can shoot the ball. All post players have a ways to go as all players do as development is concerned, but I don't think you can take and four or five star in the top 100 and say they're better than Bryant."

Anyone familiar with Bryant or that has spoken with Bryant knows he's all about the team, but an honor like this reflects on personal development.

Bruce said he's proud of his 6-foot-10, 230-pound senior.

"He's such a team guy," Bruce said. "He's worked his butt off individually to make himself a better player but he's worked his butt off to make his team a better team. Thomas is the ultimate team guy. As an individual though it just goes to show what can happen if you work hard and you do all the right things off the court. Not only is he big on the court, he's big in the community and big in the classroom. That's a testament to his character."

All told, eight uncommitted players currently considering Kentucky made the list. Full list of players in the game:

EAST TEAM

Dwayne Bacon, SG, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) -- Florida State

Antonio Blakeney, SG, Oak Ridge (Orlando, Fla.) -- LSU

Isaiah Briscoe, PG, Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.) -- Kentucky

Jaylen Brown, SF, Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.) -- Undecided

Thomas Bryant, C, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W.Va.) -- Undecided

Cheick Diallo, PF, Our Savior New American (Centereach, N.Y.) -- Undecided

Henry Ellenson, PF, Rice Lake (Rice Lake, Wis.) -- Marquette

Jawun Evans, PG, Justin F. Kimball (Dallas) -- Oklahoma State

Luke Kennard, SG, Franklin (Franklin, Ohio) -- Duke

Dedric Lawson, PF, Hamilton (Memphis, Tenn.) -- Memphis

Ben Simmons, F, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) -- LSU

Diamond Stone, C, Dominican (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) -- Undecided

WEST TEAM

Carlton Bragg, PF, Villa Angela-St. Joseph (Cleveland, Ohio) -- Kansas

Jalen Brunson, PG, Stevenson (Lincolnshire, Ill.) -- Villanova

Deyonta Davis, PF, Muskegon (Muskegon, Mich.) -- Michigan St.

P.J. Dozier Jr., PG, Spring Valley (Columbia, S.C.) -- South Carolina

Brandon Ingram, SF, Kinston (Kinston, N.C.) -- Undecided

Chase Jeter, C, Bishop Gorman, (Las Vegas) -- Duke

Malik Newman, SG, Callaway (Jackson, Miss.) -- Undecided

Ivan Rabb, C, Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.) -- Undecided

Malachi Richardson, SF, Trenton Catholic Academy (Trenton, N.J.) -- Syracuse

Caleb Swanigan, C, Homestead (Fort Wayne, Ind.) -- Undecided

Allonzo Trier, SG, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) -- Arizona

Stephen Zimmerman, C, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) -- Undecided