Anderson, Muhammad highlight McDonald's All-Americans

Dueling National Player of the Year candidates Kyle Anderson of St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) and Shabazz Muhammad of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) headlined Thursday's announcement of the rosters for the 35th annual McDonald's All-American Game.

The showcase will take place March 28 at the United Center in Chicago and will be broadcast live by ESPN. Tip time is slated for 8:30 p.m. Central Time, with the girls contest on ESPNU preceding the boys at 6:30 p.m. Central.

Anderson, a 6-foot-7 point-forward, has established himself as one of the biggest winners in the Class of 2012. The UCLA pledge has helped St. Anthony and Paterson Catholic go 78-1 on the court over the past three seasons, winning a national championship with the former in 2011. He has also experienced success on the summer circuit with the New Jersey-based Playaz.

Muhammad, a 6-6 wing, is the No. 1-ranked prospect in the MaxPreps Class of 2012 Top 100. He is in the midst of an ultra-productive senior season, pouring in nearly 30 points per game while collecting close to 10 rebounds per outing. He expects to make his college decision in April, deciding between Arizona, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, UCLA and UNLV.

Four Texans are headed to the Windy City, one short of the record for a single state set by New York and California in 1980 and 1997, respectively. Seven-footer Isaiah Austin of Grace Prep (Arlington), 6-10 Cameron Ridley of Fort Bend Bush (Richmond), Marcus Smart of Marcus (Flower Mound) and Rasheed Sulaimon of Strake Jesuit (Houston) are the participants slated to represent the Lone Star State. All four will suit up for the West squad.

Like the field for the NCAA Tournament, McDonald's All-American selections are highly scrutinized each year. The biggest question for the committee this season will be Nerlens Noel, a 6-10 shot-blocking whiz from Tilton School (N.H.). Noel recently reclassified as a senior and has already been installed as the No. 1 2012 prospect by some media outlets. He publicly stated a desire to be included in the storied contest.

The McDonald's All-American Game is the nation's top postseason showcase for seniors. Teams were picked from a field of 600 nominees by a selection committee chaired by Hall of Fame coach Morgan Wootten.

More than 1,000 players have competed in the event since 1978, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose.

Complete McDonald's All-American Game rosters

East
Name, Hgt., Wt., Pos., School – College
Kyle Anderson, 6-7, 215, G/F, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) – UCLA
DaJuan Coleman, 6-9, 285, F/C, Jamesville-DeWitt (DeWitt, N.Y.) – Syracuse
Kris Dunn, 6-2, 170, G, New London (Conn.) – Providence
Perry Ellis, 6-8, 220, F/C, Heights (Wichita, Kan.) – Kansas
Shaq Goodwin, 6-8, 245, F, Southwest DeKalb (Decatur, Ga.) – Memphis
Gary Harris, 6-4, 195, G, Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.) – Michigan State
Amile Jefferson, 6-8, 190, Friends' Central (Wynnewoode, Pa.) – Undecided
Tyler Lewis, 5-11, 165, G, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) – NC State
Tony Parker, 6-9, 280, F/C, Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.) – Undecided
Alex Poythress, 6-7, 225, F, Northeast (Clarksville, Tenn.) – Kentucky
Rodney Purvis, 6-3, 190, G, Upper Room Christian (Raleigh, N.C.) – NC State
T.J. Warren, 6-7, 225, F, Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.) – NC State

West
Name, Hgt., Wgt., Pos., School – College
Brandon Ashley, 6-8, 220, F, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) – Arizona
Isaiah Austin, 7-0, 210, F/C, Grace Prep (Arlington, Texas) – Baylor
Anthony Bennett, 6-7, 230, F, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) – Undecided
Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell, 5-11, 160, G, Park Tudor (Indianapolis) – Indiana
Archie Goodwin, 6-5, 185, G, Sylvan Hills (Sherwood, Ark.) – Kentucky
Grant Jerrett, 6-10, 220, Lutheran (La Verne, Calif.) – Arizona
Shabazz Muhammad, 6-6, 215, G/F, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) – Undecided
Marcus Paige, 6-1, 165, G, Linn-Mar (Marion, Iowa) – North Carolina
Devonta Pollard, 6-7, 200, F, Kemper County (DeKalb, Miss.) – Undecided
Cameron Ridley, 6-10, 255, C, Fort Bend Bush (Richmond, Texas) – Texas
Marcus Smart, 6-3, 205, G, Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas) – Oklahoma State
Rasheed Sulaimon, 6-3, 180, G, Strake Jesuit (Houston) – Duke

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