MPS' Kevon Looney named McDonald's All-American

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- You can't help but notice senior Kevon Looney at Alexander Milwaukee's Hamilton High School. Standing just shy of seven feet tall, this basketball superstar is catching the eye of more than just his peers and teachers.

"I am very excited to go out there and play, just put on a performance for my family and represent my state," said Looney.

Last week, Looney got the news he was waiting for, he had been named a McDonald's All-American.

"It was very emotional because you've been dreaming about this your life so it was a great moment for me," said Looney.

Only 48 students across the country are selected as a McDonald's All-American. Looney is only the second player to win this honor in MPS history, and the 6th ever in Wisconsin.

"I believe this young man has a great future ahead of him," said Alexander Hamilton High School Principal Rosana Mateo.

There's no doubt Looney knows his way around the basketball court.

"He's very easy to coach. I'll just tell him something and he'll say I got this coach," said Alexander Hamilton High School Basketball Coach Randy Williams.

But All American students are also judged on how they perform in the classroom.

"He takes advanced placement classes and the students here highly respect him. He's a role model here for students at Hamilton High School," said Mateo.

And what they do for their community. This humble athlete spends much of his free time volunteering for the mentor program Running Rebels.

"I tutor kids, I help play basketball with the kids outside, help them with little leagues," said Looney.

Looney will play in the McDonald's All-American game April 2nd in Chicago. Then he'll move on to hit the basketball court at UCLA this fall.

Looney's dream is to play for the Lakers. But first, he wants to graduate from UCLA with a degree in Sports Medicine.