2005 EA Sports All-American Basketball Team

Torrance, Calif.--Three juniors and one sophomore have joined 16 seniors today as 20 elite boys basketball players from around the nation who have been selected to the 2005 EA SPORTS All-American Boys Basketball Team.

Topping the list is Mississippi standout Monta Ellis, our choice for 2005 EA SPORTS National Player of the Year. Ellis is the latest in a string of recent standouts from the Magnolia State, including 2004 NBA draft pick Al Jefferson and 1999 National Player of the Year Jonathon Bender.

Ellis was chosen National Player of the Year in a close decision over 7-0 junior Greg Oden of Indianapolis. The only other juniors in the nation to earn EA SPORTS All American status are Brandan Wright, a 6-9 wing player from Brentwood Academy of Brentwood, Tenn., and Kevin Durant, arguably the No. 1 player off this year's squad at famed Oak Hill Academy.

And while Oden is clearly the No. 1 player for the Class of 2006, it's equally clear that the No. 1 player for the Class of 2007 is 6-5 guard O.J. Mayo from North College Hill of Cincinnati, Ohio. In fact, it appears that NBA insiders are already pegging Oden to be the likely No. 1 pick for the 2006 draft with Mayo doing the same for 2007.

"The EA SPORTS All-Americans represent the best in the game in high school athletics," said Brian Movalson, Senior Brand Manager for EA SPORTS. "We're proud to honor these young men and are looking forward to seeing these players continue to compete at a high level at the college and professional level."

The annual EA SPORTS All-American Team is selected by the editors of Student Sports, who have compiled national rankings in numerous sports for more than 15 years. The format for the team calls for it not to be selected until all teams have finished their seasons, which makes the EA SPORTS honors more reflective of players who led their teams to state championships.

To view the 2005 EA SPORTS All American Boys Basketball Team CLICK HERE