This year’s McDonald’s All-American Girl’s Game will feature Cypress Springs’ senior guard Ayla McDowell, who will be the first Panthers girl to play in the prestigious high school game.
The 2025 McDonald’s All-American Girls’ Game will be held April 1, 2025 at the Barclays Center, home of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and WNBA’s New York Liberty.
“It feels amazing to have been selected for this prestigious recognition. I am blessed for this opportunity. It’s a goal I’ve had since I started playing basketball,” said McDowell. “I’ve always wanted to leave my mark and strive to put Cy Springs on the map.
“Being the first burger girl here is amazing and feels surreal. Everyone in school congratulating me makes me so happy, and this is another thing that helps me leave my mark here.”
McDowell is a five-star player ranked No. 22 in her class by ESPN. According to MaxPreps, as a junior, McDowell averaged 19.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in the 2023-24 season. As a senior, McDowell is averaging 24.6 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game and 3.4 assists per game at Cy-Springs.
“Ayla is a unicorn,” said head Cypress Springs head girls basketball coach Taneisha Rogers. “I’ve been saying it since I first saw her in middle school. She has set the standard of excellence here at Cy Springs.”
McDowell’s biggest asset is her ability to stretch the floor out beyond the 3-point line. This asset will play a key factor as she has signed to play for the defending national champion University of South Carolina Gamecocks and head coach Dawn Staley.
Before choosing South Carolina, McDowell also considered Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Florida, LSU and TCU. However, the coaching staff at South Carolina won the job.
“The entire staff was so welcoming, the education was great, and I felt comfortable with my future teammates. I feel like South Carolina is somewhere I can continue to elevate my game,” said McDowell.”
McDonald’s All-American evaluation nominations are determined by a player’s fundamental skills, basketball IQ, competitive drive, athleticism and potential for ongoing growth and development. McDowell embodies all of these attributes after years of working on her game.
McDowell’s selection as a McDonald’s All-American is a testament to her hard work, dedication and undeniable talent. As the first player from Cypress Springs to earn this prestigious honor, she has cemented her legacy and set a new standard for future generations. Her journey, from picking up basketball in the fifth grade to excelling on the EYBL circuit and representing Brazil on the international stage, showcases her relentless pursuit of excellence.
“I started playing basketball in the 5th grade after watching the 2016 NBA finals. I thought basketball looked cool to play, and I could see myself having a good future with it. I used to play golf before I played basketball, but I disliked it because it was a slow game, so now I just play it for fun. However, I knew when I started playing on the EYBL circuit that I had something special. Playing high-level basketball told me that I could be pretty good if I continued to work hard,” said McDowell.
McDowell excels at 3-point shooting and defense. This makes her a valuable wing/forward prospect, as she can play on the perimeter and get physical inside. She is a high-level rebounder and provides all the glue a team needs at that spot.
“I enjoy watching Te-Hina Paopao from South Carolina, her situational awareness and ability to knock down perimeter shots with ease are amazing. I also enjoy watching Breanna Stewart. Her confidence on the court and ability to spread to the floor, with her versatility on the offensive and defensive side, is what sets her apart from others,” said McDowell.
McDowell is focused on elevating her defensive game, aiming to become a standout defender at the college level. In the summer of 2024, she competed with the Brazilian national team at the U18 FIBA Americas tournament, averaging 14.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Following the tournament, she returned with greater confidence and assertiveness, showing a more aggressive approach when attacking off the dribble.
“My mom is fully Brazilian, born and raised,” said McDowell. “The competition there is amazing. It is aggressive and they play a high IQ game. Foreign players unlock another side of the game that is uncommon to see in the States,” said McDowell. “Playing in the U18 FIBA Americas tournament taught me how to elevate my game on and off the court and the importance of being aggressive at all times while on the court. It helped me adapt to different playing styles, strategies, and levels of intensity. The skill of the game is advanced, and the physicality was great for me to experience.”
With her versatility, leadership, and commitment to growth, McDowell is poised to make a significant impact at the University of South Carolina and beyond. As she continues to evolve as a player, her future in basketball looks incredibly bright.
About Ayla McDowell:
Class: 2025
IG: @aylawyla
Twitter: @aylamm2_
Position: Guard
Height & weight: 6-feet-2, 173-pounds
Favorite artist: Mariah The Scientist
Status: Committed to The University of South Carolina
Favorite subject: Manufacturing
Shout-outs: My family especially my Mom, my coaches & my teammates
