NEW YORK — Darryn Peterson emerged as the co-MVP by scoring an impressive 18 points, leading the West team to a 105-92 victory over the East in the McDonald’s All-American boys basketball game held on Tuesday night at Barclays Center.
In an exciting match, Alijah Arenas, the son of three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas—who was present in the audience—concluded the third quarter with a free throw that secured a 74-70 lead for the West. The West subsequently expanded their advantage to as much as 15 points as the game neared its end.
Notably, the game highlighted three future Duke Blue Devils, prominently featuring brothers Cayden and Cameron Boozer, who are set to follow in the footsteps of their father, Carlos Boozer, a two-time NBA All-Star. Cameron Boozer shared the MVP title with Peterson, contributing 16 points as the East’s top scorer. East teammate Isiah Harwell, committed to Houston, also scored 16 points.
Another Duke recruit, Nikolas Khamenia, competed with the West team. Meanwhile, UConn, which boasts recent back-to-back national championships, had three McDonald’s All-Americans participating for the first time. Guards Braylon Mullins, Darius Adams, and center Eric Reibe all represented the West.
Complementing Arenas on the West roster were the nation’s top recruits, including forward AJ Dybantsa, who has committed to BYU, and Peterson, bound for Kansas. Dybantsa sealed the West’s first victory in this esteemed event since 2018 with a powerful dunk in the final minute, concluding his performance with 13 points. Nikola Bundalo, headed to Washington, added 12 points to the West’s tally.
For the East, Darius Acuff Jr., an Arkansas commit, contributed 12 points to their effort.