Aaron Gordon has officially left his mark on the McDonalds All American Game.
Just a day after his decision to play basketball for the University of Arizona, Gordon stole the show at the high school showcase Wednesday night at the United Center in Chicago.
Gordon showed why he is considered one of the best recruits in the country. He took home the MVP in a game loaded with stars ready to take the college game by storm. Gordon poured in 28 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dazzled the crowd with a variety of dunks. He even go got the crowd on their feet after a missed between the legs dunk attempt in the first half.
Gordon made up for it with a variety of dunks in the second half.
In a week dominated by local star Jabari Parker and top prospect Andrew Wiggins, it was other recruits who played key roles in a game won by the West squad.
Bobby Portis, Jr., a Arkansas recruit, had 12 points in the win for the West, while Andrew Wiggins led the East with 19 points. Parker is headed to Duke, while Wiggins is still undecided. Wiggins has hinted that the announcement might not come until May, and has been pretty mum about his decision.
The hometown favorite Parker finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds for the West. Parker is capping off a very impressive high school career which has seen him win four State Championships and was considered the #1 recruit before Wiggins reclassified his class to ’13.
The game was led by the West for most of the night as they built a big lead early on in the game. A few runs including an 18-5 run towards the end of the game by the East kept the game close, but in the end the West was just too much.
The McDonalds All American Game will stay in the city of Chicago until at least 2015, and tonight’s event was held in front of 15,808 people at the United Center.