Flintridge Prep’s Cartwright is lovin’ it

While he has yet to play a game in 2014, Flintridge Prep’s Robert Cartwright nonetheless found himself among elite competition on Tuesday.

The senior guard, who has been out since the middle of December with a leg injury, was nominated to participate in the McDonald’s All-American Games.

Cartwright was one of 984 students — boys and girls — nationwide nominated for the games, which will be held April 2 at Chicago’s United Center.

“Obviously this is a well-deserved honor for Robert. He received the nomination not just because of what he does on court, but also for his community involvement,” Flintridge Prep Coach Garrett Ohara said. “It’s great for Flintridge Prep to be recognized.”

Regionally, Cartwright was one of nine boys’ players selected out of the McDonald’s Los Angeles area, which included top recruits such as Bellflower’s Daniel Hamilton, Loyola’s Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Mater Dei’s Stanley Johnson.

“It’s a great honor to be on a list with several great players,” Cartwright said. “It’s something I’m proud of and I appreciate. I’ve had a chance to play with all of those players and I have a great respect for them.”

It will be awhile, though, before Cartwright knows if he has been selected to the 37th annual boys’ game.

McDonald’s will choose the final 24 boys and girls for each roster on Jan. 29 at 3 p.m. PDT. The official selection show will air live on ESPNU.

Cartwright entered his senior season after a brilliant junior campaign in which the 6-foot-2, 170-pound guard, who verbally committed to Stanford University, averaged 18.9 points, 4.6 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 steals a game in being named the Prep League Most Valuable Player along with Division V-AA and All-Area first-team honors.

Flintridge Prep finished 22-7 last season, won the Prep League title, advanced to the semifinals of the Division V-AA playoffs and earned a berth in the CIF State Division V playoffs.

Cartwright has seen limited time this season because of his injury, but is expected back by the end of this week.

“I had acupuncture earlier this week and it’s my hope to return on Friday versus [Pasadena] Poly,” Cartwright said. “It’s just a matter of getting cleared to play.”