CHICAGO, IL (BasketballBuzz) – Arizona commit Aaron Gordon put on an aerial assault with nine dunks on his way to a game-high 24 points and MVP honors as the West defeated the East 110-99 at the 2013 and 36th McDonald’s All-American Game at the United Center.
Gordon’s (6-8, 220lbs) size and freakish athleticism were on full display for Team West as the Arizona Wildcats recruit put on a show with nine impressive dunks that are sure to continue the comparisons to the Clippers’ Blake Griffin.
The number one player in the class of 2013, Canadian Andre Wiggins (Vaughn, ON/ Huntington Prep) continued his upwards stream towards greatness by putting together a silent 19 points on the biggest stage of high school basketball.
Majority of Wiggins team-high points came from the foul-line where he went 7-of-8. On a night where all eyes were on the next crop on NBA stars Wiggins played calm and didn’t force much — shooting a team best 6-of-10 from the floor to lead the East in scoring in 24 minutes.
Wiggins who also added four rebounds and two steals and seemed most engaged when matched-up against Jabari Parker the No. 2 ranked player in the 2013 Class.
The two future NBA players guarded each other for much of the night with Wiggins forcing the hometown star (Simeon/Chicago) and Duke signee to pick up four fouls in the process.
Parker helped his team by showing his all-around touch around the basket and finished with 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals while propelling the West to victory.
“The match-up against Wiggins] went pretty good,” Parker said. “He is super athletic so I had to over commit on the drive but then he can shoot so it was really difficult.”
“Me and Jabari, we are friends, both great players,” Wiggins said. “I know I’m going to see his face a lot at the next level and the level after that. I consider it a great learning experience. I’m just glad to be here. Going against Jabari is just the best going against the best.”
Like the case in most all-star games it’s tough to gauge a players full potential, but in Wiggins’ case, like in so many other occasions, be it Canadian or American high school, AAU circuit or international FIBA competition — it was once again clearly evident that the road to the 2014 NBA top overall pick is still secured despite his minimal showing.
The athleticism, the spin move and rawness that we’ve all become accustomed to seeing were on minimal display and, minus a missed routine dunk, a free-throw and a few more minutes we once again witnessed the number one player in the 2013 class prove that he’s worth all the buzz.
For Wiggins the All-Star showcase continues as the Canadian will try to lead the World Team to a victory at the 2013 Jordan Brand Classic International Game on April 13th at the Barclay’s Centre in Brooklyn New York.
