PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers women's basketball Class of 2022 signees Kaylene Smikle and Antonia Bates have been selected as nominees for the 2022 McDonald's All-American Game in March at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The future Scarlet Knights are two of 760+ boys and girls basketball players across the nation to receive the honor.
 
Smikle, now a two-time McDonald's All-American Game nominee, is a 6-foot winger out of Farmingdale, New York, a four-star recruit, the No. 11 ranked wing in the nation according to espnW, and the No. 64 overall recruit in the country. Playing her final year of high school with Westtown School, she is one of 18 selections out of the state of Pennsylvania.
 
Bates, who earns her first McDonald's All-American Game nomination, is a 6-foot-3 star out of Easton, Pennsylvania originally starring for Notre Dame High School before transferring to Rutgers Prep for her final year of high school. She is one of 12 McDonald's nominees from New Jersey this winter. She was a Class 3A All-State Second Team selection by the PA Sports Writers in 2020-21. Bates plays her AAU ball with the New Jersey Sparks, and is the No. 40 ranked guard in the country according to espnW. 
 
Since their inception, the McDonald's All-American Games have benefited Ronald McDonald House Charities®(RMHC®) through its network of local Chapters. At RMHC, programs like the Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room provide comfort and compassion to families with sick children so they are fully supported and able to be a part of their children's care.


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