Video: High School All-Star GameFind out who makes the cut in our East vs. West showdown.There is a high school basketball presence this weekend at the NBA All-Star festivities in New Orleans.
Storied
Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) headlined the Jordan Brand Invitational on Thursday night in the Crescent City, beating state power
Scotlandville (Baton Rouge) 81-67.
But let's dial that idea up a few notches. How about an East vs. West high school all-star game to go along with the NBA's celebrity game, Rising Stars Challenge and dunk and 3-point contests?
Differentiating this idea from the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic, players from all grade levels would eligible and the rosters would stay true to geography, fostering a true East vs. West rivalry (Alterique Gilbert of Georgia and Josh Langford of Alabama played for the West in last year's McDonald's game).
Most importantly, we are recognizing the guys getting it done on the floor for successful teams this season. The worst five teams in the NBA – the 76ers, Lakers, Magic, Nets and Suns – will have a combined
zero All-Stars on the floor Sunday.
First team to 150 wins. See our rosters below.
Photos: Vince Miller, Heston Quan, John Jones, Dan Browning and Steve Dalmado
PG – LaMelo Ball, 6-2, So., Chino Hills (Calif.)All-Star credentials: Scored 92 points in a game this season for a team that has won 62 of its last 63 outings.
SG – LiAngelo Ball, 6-5, Sr., Chino HillsAll-Star credentials: Can't have LaMelo without LiAngelo. Big brother has three scoring performances of 60 points or more this season – perfect for All-Star competition.
SF – Michael Porter Jr., 6-9, Sr., Nathan Hale (Seattle)All-Star credentials: A near-lock for MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors, future Washington Husky is putting up 35.8 points and 14.4 rebounds per game.
PF – Marvin Bagley III, 6-10, Jr., Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)All-Star credentials: Producing 24.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game for nation's No. 2 team.
C – DeAndre Ayton, 6-11, Sr., Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix)All-Star credentials: Top center prospect in the 2017 class backing it up with monster double-doubles just about every night out.
Reserves
Bol Bol, 7-1, Jr.,
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)Troy Brown Jr., 6-6, Sr., G,
Centennial (Las Vegas)Marcus Garrett, 6-5, Sr., G,
Skyline (Dallas)Jaylen Hands, 6-3, Sr., G,
Foothills Christian (El Cajon, Calif.)Gary Trent Jr., 6-5, Sr., G,
Prolific Prep Academy (Napa, Calif.)P.J. Washington, 6-8, Sr., F,
Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.)Trae Young, 6-1, Sr., G,
Norman North (Norman, Okla.)EASTStarting FivePG – Trevon Duval, 6-3, Sr., IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.)All-Star credentials: At his best in big games this season, uncommitted senior has turned IMG into a national title contender.
SG – Romeo Langford, 6-4, Jr., New Albany (Ind.)All-Star credentials: Indiana's POY as a sophomore, star guard is putting up nearly 30 points per game as a junior.
SF – Zion Williamson, 6-7, Jr., Spartanburg Day (Spartanburg, S.C.)All-Star credentials: Backs up the social media highlights with production – 36.4 points, 13.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
PF – Wendell Carter Jr., 6-10, Sr., Pace Academy (Atlanta, Ga.)All-Star credentials: Future Duke Blue Devil has helped Pace win 20 games against brutal schedule.
C – Mohamed Bamba, 6-11, Sr., Westtown (Pa.)All-Star credentials: The East will need a rim protector against the West's overwhelming firepower and few can do that like this Harlem native.
ReservesR.J. Barrett, 6-7, So., G,
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.)Brian Bowen, 6-7, Sr., G,
La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.)Jaren Jackson, 6-10, Sr., F, La Lumiere
Kevin Knox, 6-8, Sr., F,
Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.)Nick Richards, 6-10, Sr., C,
Patrick School (Elizabeth, N.J.)Collin Sexton, 6-1, Sr., G,
Pebblebrook (Mableton, Ga.)Ja'Vonte Smart, 6-4, Sr., G,
Scotlandville (Baton Rouge, La.)
