In a thrilling display of young basketball talent, Darryn Peterson emerged as a standout player, scoring 18 points and earning co-MVP honors. His exceptional performance led the West team to a decisive victory over the East team with a final score of 105-92. This highly anticipated event took place at the Barclays Center on Tuesday night, showcasing some of the brightest prospects in high school basketball.
One of the notable highlights came from Alijah Arenas, whose father, the three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, was present in the stands. Arenas made a crucial free throw at the end of the third quarter, securing a narrow 74-70 lead for the East. However, the West team quickly extended their advantage in the fourth quarter, reaching a lead of 15 points at one point in the game.
The game featured notable talents, including the Boozer brothers, Cayden and Cameron Boozer, who are both committed to Duke University. Their father, Carlos Boozer, is a two-time NBA All-Star and also a former Blue Devil. Cameron Boozer, rated as ESPN's No. 3 prospect for the 2025 class, shared the MVP title with Peterson after leading the East with 16 points.
Another standout for the East was Isiah Harwell, a Houston commit ranked 13th by ESPN, who also scored 16 points. The West squad featured Nikolas Khamenia, another Duke signee, alongside top recruits A.J. Dybantsa and Peterson. Dybantsa, who is ESPN's top-rated recruit committed to BYU, concluded the game with an impressive dunk in the final minute, contributing 13 points to the West's success.
This year's game marked a significant moment for UConn, as it was the first time the reigning national champions had three McDonald's All Americans participating in the game. The trio consisted of guards Braylon Mullins and Darius Adams, along with center Eric Reibe, all of whom played for the West team.
Additionally, Niko Bundalo, a Washington signee, contributed 12 points for the West. For the East, Darius Acuff Jr., ranked fifth by ESPN and committed to Arkansas, also added 12 points to the scoreboard. Overall, the event served as a showcase of the future stars of college basketball, leaving fans excited for what is to come.
