Arizona-bound Brandon Jennings (Oak Hill Academy/Los Angeles, CA) earned co-Most Valuable Player honors tonight on basketball’s biggest stage, Madison Square Garden, as he finished with 10 points and 14 assists to lead the Blue Jerseys to the 124-114 victory over the White Jerseys at the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic, presented by Foot Locker and Boost Mobile. Jennings was joined by co-MVP Tyreke Evans (American Christian/Aston, PA/Memphis) who had 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
The event was once again attended by some of sport and entertainment’s biggest stars including Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, Vince Carter, Rudy Gay, Mya and Jadakiss. Interscope rapper Wale headlined the musical performances while Arista Records artists Boyz II Men performed the national anthem.
Jennings’ 14 assists broke the event record previously held by Corey Fisher while his teammates Scotty Hopson (University Heights/Tennessee) and Demar DeRozan (Compton/USC) contributed 21 and 17 points respectively.
“Year after year, the Jordan Brand selects the best in high-school basketball to perform at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden,” said Garry Cook, President of Jordan Brand. “We look forward to watching these young, gifted athletes in the years to come.”
Other players on the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic Team include Al-Farouq Aminu (Norcross, GA/Wake Forest), William Buford (Toledo, OH/Ohio State), Ed Davis (Richmond, VA/UNC), Demar DeRozan (Compton, CA/Southern Cal), Michael Dunigan (Chicago, IL/Oregon), Devin Ebanks (Oakdale, CT/Undecided), Tyreke Evans (Aston, PA/Undecided), Drew Gordon (San Jose, CA/UCLA), JaMychal Green (Montgomery, AL/Alabama), Jrue Holiday (N. Hollywood, CA/UCLA), Scotty Hopson (Hopkinsville, KY/Tennessee), Brandon Jennings (Mouth of Wilson, VA/Arizona), Malcolm Lee (Riverside, CA/UCLA), Greg Monroe (Harvey, LA/Georgetown), B.J. Mullens (Canal Winchester, OH/Ohio State), Delvon Roe (Lakewood, OH/Michigan State), Samardo Samuels (Newark, NJ/Louisville), Iman Shumpert (Oak Park, IL/Georgia Tech), Kemba Walker (New York, NY/Connecticut), Willie Warren (North Crowley, TX/Oklahoma), Wesley Witherspoon (Lilburn, GA/Undecided) and Tony Woods (Rome, GA/Wake Forest).
Recent Jordan Brand Classic MVPs have included Donte Greene (Syracuse) and Corey Fisher (Villanova) in 2007, Kevin Durant (Seattle Sonics) and Thaddeus Young (Philadelphia Sixers) in 2006, Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina) and Andray Blatche (Washington Wizards) in 2005, Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) in 2004, LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Shannon Brown (Chicago Bulls) in 2003, and Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns) and Sean May (Charlotte Bobcats) in 2002.
The Jordan Brand Classic is an annual showcase of the top high school basketball players in the country, throughout the New York City region and internationally.
The evening began with the inaugural International game, led by Enes Kanter (Turkey) with 22 points and 17 rebounds.
In the Regional Game, the Suburban All-Stars defeated the City All-Stars 129-127, led by co-Most Valuable Player Marcus Morris (Apex Academy/Pennsauken, NJ/Kansas) with 20 points. Morris was joined by co-MVP Ryan Pearson (Christ the King/Middle Village, NY/George Mason) who had 36 points and 15 rebounds.
