The 2012 McDonald’s All-American game ended up signaling the arrival of Shabazz Muhammad on the mainstream stage, as he had 21 points on 18 shots from the floor on his way to winning MVP honors. 

Muhammad had the most consistently high level of focus and intensity throughout the game, though he was much more impressive in the opening minutes of the game. Muhammad completed several transition dunks, including one on a bad lob pass that forced him to reach low to grab the ball before bringing it up for the dunk.

His athleticism is not outstanding, but it is highly, highly functional and he is superbly basketball athletic in the way Paul Pierce was 10 years ago.

Muhammad hit his only three-point attempt, a catch-and-shoot from the left wing where he showed a quick release.

The most impressive aspect of Muhammad’s performance the variety of ways in which he scored. No two buckets were alike in how they were created and that is the mark of a pure scorer who will succeed at any level.

• Because Muhammad was widely expected to have that type of performance, Alex Poythress had the most surprisingly outstanding game.

Poythress was aggressive in looking for his own offense from the outset, something he never once did during the three games I saw him last August at the Nike Global Challenge. He converted multiple dunks, but it was high jumper that has improved in terms of his confidence. Poythress now has a smooth and reliable mid-range jumper. He still looks like a tweener forward in terms of his NBA potential, so the development of a strong jumper will greatly enhance his stock.

Poythress, who will attend Kentucky, finished the game with 19 points on 12 shots and he also fouled out. He had a few stretches of defense on Muhammad that kept him out of the paint. The fouls came within the flow of the game and was a testament to how hard he was playing.

• Kyle Anderson had 13 points, eight assists, eight rebounds and four steals, showing his versatility and skill throughout. Anderson has excellent vision as a passer and his decision-making is enhanced by his trademark deliberate style. He was a little inefficient with his perimeter shot, but it is clear he is the best pure playmaker of the class since he creates for others as well as himself.

• Grant Jerrett had a strong game, scoring four buckets on five shots. He will never dominate a game, but has great court awareness and will put himself in position for easy looks. His confidence level has also appeared to increase since the summer.

• Archie Goodwin had 14 points and was all over the floor as is to be expected from him.

• Tony Parker continues to be impressive, chronically underrated and he even appears to be in better condition. Parker will have the best freshman season of any big in this game. 

• Brandon Ashley had a West-high 10 rebounds, but was unable to do much offensively and was frustrated with the other equally strong and athletic bodies in his airspace. Ashley has all of the physical gifts any player would want, but I have reservations on his toughness and ability to produce against comparable talent.

• Anthony Bennett, Ashley’s Findlay teammate, appeared fully healthy and did a little of everything as is his norm.

• Gary Harris was unable to get anything going though so much of his game is penetrating to draw contact and the game was officiated loosely.

• Rodney Purvis ended up playing the Harris role for the East, taking the ball hard to the bucket multiple times on his way to 15 points.

• The length and skill of Cameron Ridley was very impressive. Texas should see instant production at the center position in Ridley.

• Rasheed Sulaimon should receive heavy minutes immediately at Duke and showed why he is one of the best perimeter shooters in the class with three-pointers from both wings.

• DaJuan Coleman had a game-high 12 rebounds and also made several outstanding outlet passes. He’s a perfect fit for Syracuse.

• Marcus Smart made several careless, unintelligent passes and ill-advised shots. He didn’t seem to take the game seriously at all.