McDonald's AA Game impressions: Bamba, Porter, Sexton & more
CHICAGO, Ill. - The West took down the East 109-107 with Michael Porter taking home MVP honors, but it was the play of
Mohamed Bamba that impressed the most.
The 9-7 reach of Bamba was a problem tonight just as it has been in the practices and the scrimmage. Opposing post players struggled to score over him, and Bamba totaled four blocks in the game. He also scored 17 points, making 7-8 on his two-point attempts.
The overwhelming impact of Bamba's length is just too much to discount when ranking the big men in the 2017 class. It now looks like he will be No. 2 in the Top247, passing up
DeAndre Ayton and behind only small forward Michael Porter.
Speaking of Porter, the new Missouri recruit has stood out all week with his impressive combination of length, athleticism, versatility, skill and basketball IQ. He is the future of the game as a quintessential positionless player at 6-9. Porter finished with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Known as a gunner who also loves to draw fouls, Alabama signee
Collin Sexton embraced a different role in tonight's game. He dished out an impressive six assists in the first half for the East. He only managed one more assist in the second half, but his first half passing set a positive tone and was the primary entertainment of the night. Sexton also snagged four steals while only turning the ball over three times.
He is a showman who lives the bright lights, but he is also a fearless high level competitor.
Kentucky signee
Quade Green also dished out seven assists but matched that total with seven turnovers.
Trae Young, who is headed to Oklahoma, lead the West with five assists but also matched that total with five turnovers.
A not so bright spot in the game was the less than stellar three-point shooting. The teams were a combined 11-53 from behind the arc. Young knocked down 3-8 from deep while Kansas signee
Billy Preston hit 2-2 from behind the arc.
Preston, who had some positive moments tonight, totaled 10 points for the game.
The top rebounder in the game was Arizona bound big man
DeAndre Ayton, who grabbed 11 boards.
Kevin Knox had some nice finishes in transition and ended up with 15 points.
Western Kentucky recruit,
Mitchell Robinson displayed his athleticism and immense potential, scoring 14 points and blocking two shots.
Other double digit scorers for the winning West were
Jaylen Hands (UCLA), Brandon McCoy, Troy Brown (Oregon) and
Charles O'Bannon Jr. (USC).
Wendell Carter (Duke) also hit double figures for the East.
McDonald's AA Game impressions: Bamba, Porter, Sexton & more