SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD AND RODNEY PURVIS NAMED CO-MVPS OF THE 2012 JORDAN BRAND CLASSIC
SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD AND RODNEY PURVIS NAMED CO-MVPS OF THE 2012 JORDAN BRAND CLASSIC
UCLA-bound Shabazz Muhammad (Las Vegas, NV) earned co-Most Valuable Player honors, as he finished with 20 points and four rebounds to lead the West All-Americans to the 99-95 victory over the East All-Americans at the 11th annual Jordan Brand Classic. Sharing the co-MVP honors was Rodney Purvis (Raleigh, NC/NC State) who had 22 points, two rebounds and three steals for the East All-Americans.
The Jordan Brand Classic not only featured future stars on the court, but many prominent celebrities such as Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Fabolous and Big Tigger. Past alumni Anthony Davis, Kendall Marshall, Harrison Barnes, James McAdoo and CJ Leslie also gathered courtside to take in the action. In addition to the post-game performance by artist Fabolous, the North Carolina A&T Cold Steel Drumline wowed fans at halftime and Hip Hop violinist Lee England, Jr. performed the National Anthem.
Other standouts in the game included Alex Poythress (Clarksville, TN/Kentucky) with 16 points, Rasheed Sulaimon (Houston, TX/Duke) with 13 points and 7 rebounds, Kaleb Tarczewski (Southborough, MA/Arizona) with 10 rebounds and Kyle Anderson (Jersey City, NJ/UCLA) with 14 points and 9 rebounds.
The event concluded a week of activities around Charlotte, including a basketball clinic with the YMCA of Charlotte, an awards dinner at the Mint Museum Uptown, a tour of the Joe Gibbs NASCAR Racing facility and a 2K Sports Video Game Challenge. In addition, the top two rated players, Shabazz Muhammad (Las Vegas, NV/UCLA) and Nerlens Noel (Tilton, NH/Kentucky) announced their college decisions during a special National Signing Day Show at ESPNU headquarters.
“We are thrilled to have celebrated the 11th anniversary of the Jordan Brand Classic in a community like Charlotte that is synonymous with top-ranked basketball talent,” said Keith Houlemard, President of Jordan Brand. “This year’s event continues the sensational play that we have come to expect from some of the best young basketball players from not only the country, but the world.”
Other players in the 2012 Jordan Brand Classic include Steven Adams (Fitchburg, MA)/Pittsburgh), Brandon Ashley (Henderson, NV/Arizona), Isaiah Austin (Arlington, TX/Baylor), Anthony Bennett (Henderson, NV/Undecided), Kris Dunn (New London, CT/Providence), Archie Goodwin (Little Rock, AR/Kentucky), Jerami Grant (Hyattsville, MD/Syracuse), Gary Harris (Fishers, IN/Michigan State), Danuel House (Houston, TX/Houston), Grant Jerrett (La Verne, CA/Arizona), Brice Johnson (Cordova, SC/North Carolina), Ricardo Ledo (South Kent, CT/Providence), Tony Parker (Lithonia, GA/Undecided) and J.P. Tokoto (Milwaukee, WI/North Carolina).
Previous Jordan Brand Classic MVPs have included Anthony Davis and James McAdoo in 2011, Kyrie Irving and Harrison Barnes in 2010, Derrick Favors and Renardo Sidney in 2009, Brandon Jennings and Tyreke Evans in 2008, Donte Greene and Corey Fisher in 2007, Kevin Durant and Thaddeus Young in 2006, Tyler Hansbrough and Andray Blatche in 2005, Dwight Howard in 2004, LeBron James and Shannon Brown in 2003, and Amar’e Stoudemire and Sean May in 2002.
