LONG BEACH, Calif. – St. Francis rising junior Mackenzie Le has been named to the North team for the upcoming North South High School Tournament Showcase in Long Beach, Calif., Aug. 9-11. She has been chosen for the event for the third time.

"Only a few people get selected for this wonderful opportunity to play on this all-star team," said Le. "I am excited to play against the All-Stars from Southern California."

For the past 25 years, one of the most prestigious youth basketball events is the North South High

School Tournament. The goal is to showcase the top Asian athletes in the State of California.

"Mackenzie Le has been a positive representative of Asian basketball," said Justin Fujihara, Tournament Coordinator, North South High School Basketball Tournament. "Since the 8th Grade, she has been a player for two reputable club programs, Sacramento Warlords and San Jose Ninja Youth Group. She is a terrific young basketball player, which is a reflection of her exceptional character and integrity on and off the court."

Teams are separated between Northern and Southern California players, and grouped by respective high school grade level. Prospective players are nominated annually by the Asian clubs and its coaches, who assess each player's talent, sportsmanship and leadership qualities. A limited roster of players are selected to represent each North and South team year-to-year.

"To me I am proud to represent my nationality," said Le, who is entering her junior season at St. Francis. She averaged 4.5 points per game in her first season on the varsity in 2018-19 after scoring 11.4 ppg. as a freshman on the JV team.

Asian basketball dates back to the 1920s, and was created by the Japanese American community. They formed their own teams to meet recreational and social needs during a time where the Asian athlete was uncommon in organized sports.