SIOUX FALLS, SD &045;&160;For excelling both on and off the basketball court, Parker Skophammer of Albert Lea High School has been recognized as one of the finest basketball players in the country through his nomination to the 2006 McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Team.

Skophammer is one of 1,500 male prep basketball standouts in the nation nominated by the McDonald’s All American Basketball Team Selection Committee, a group of nationally prominent basketball experts. As a nominee, the 6-foot-6-inch forward was considered for one of the 24 positions on the final 2006 McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Team that will compete in the 29th anniversary of the McDonald’s All American High School Basketball Game.

This year’s boys game will be played Wednesday, March 29 at San Diego State University, and will be broadcast live on ESPN at 5 p.m. For the fifth time in the history of the game, a girls game will also be played, and takes place at the same location, with tip-off at 2:30 p.m. with a tape-delayed broadcast April 6 on ESPN2.

Proceeds from both games will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities Chapters of South Bend and Fort Wayne, Ind. The Ronald McDonald House program has provided a &8220;home-away-from-home&8221; for millions of family members of seriously ill children since its inception in 1974.

Skophammer has a 20.0 point average. His coach is Chad Feikema. Parker is the son of Randy and Heidi Skophammer.