When the nation’s best athletes perform, ATI is there to help keep them moving. Once again, ATI served as the official physical therapy provider for the McDonald’s All-American Games. Four of ATI’s Sports Medicine Athletic Trainers traveled to Phoenix for the big game and split their time between the all-star teams with help from three of ATI’s PT Sports Residents.

“I am most excited and very honored to be given the opportunity to represent ATI at the McDonalds All-American Games!” Samuel Almendarez, an ATC from ATI’s Illinois market, said when asked about the event prior to the big game. “Traveling for this game and being around the media and high-profile athletes resembles the experiences I had while working with the Chicago Sky. This will be a lot of fun!”

In Phoenix, Almendarez was joined by fellow ATC Marcus Olson, of Alabama. There, they provided care for the boys’ team. At the same time, ATCs Cally Beltz and Rebecca Egan, both from the ATI Illinois Sports Medicine team, oversaw and treated the girls’ team. Three of ATI’s PT Sports Residents, Logan Hopkins, Ethan Mychaijlonka, and Tamatoa Neher, who were there to receive observation hours, also joined the athletic trainers for additional support.

“I’m very grateful for this opportunity to help support these athletes as they embark on their college careers. I’ve worked with professional basketball for eight-plus years but never at this elite high school level,” Cally said. “There’s something really special about seeing these kids truly take in and enjoy their moments. It’s one final moment to let them be kids before it turns into a job, and the joy goes away.”