In a tight showdown, the West triumphed over the East with a 105-92 win. This victory was spearheaded by the dynamic duo, Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa, leading as the top scorers with crucial support from their teammates. The West’s dominance came from their 16 extra shot attempts and a +10 edge in rebounds, which made all the difference.
Darryn Peterson, a 6’6″ guard with Kansas, snagged the MVP honors bringing his A-game to the court with 18 points, hitting 7 out of 14 field goals. Although his long-range shots weren’t landing initially, he made his presence known on the boards with a highlight tip-slam. Despite his struggles from beyond the arc, going 1 for 6, Peterson found alternative ways to score, including some spectacular dunks in the second half. Agile with the ball, he effectively utilized ball screens, whether to shoot, drive into the paint, or dish out to Chris Cenac for what might have been the pass of the match. Peterson rounded out his performance with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and showcased his defensive prowess with 3 steals.
Meanwhile, AJ Dybantsa from BYU, a formidable 6’9″ forward, racked up 17 points by completing 7 of 12 shots. His scoring mostly came through artful layups, thanks to his impressive body control. However, he didn’t hold back from showcasing his explosiveness early with a vertical dunk, and later, a powerful coast-to-coast maneuver. Though he only contributed 5 rebounds, Dybantsa’s sheer athleticism and skill set at his height underline why he’s such a standout player in his class.
Niko Bundalo, at 6’10″ for Washington, kept a balanced game, delivering 12 points on a very efficient 6 of 10 shooting. He stuck to the basics, scoring mainly from cleaning up missed shots, shown by his 6 offensive rebounds. Though he could have improved defensively against Malachi Moreno, Bundalo’s effort in an exhibition setting was commendable.
Chris Cenac from Houston, standing at 6’10″, showcased his versatile scoring with 11 points, utilizing a mix of fadeaways, a smooth jump hook, and even nailing a corner three after an offensive rebound. With 7 rebounds in his account—3 on the offensive side—Cenac showed potential as an inside-out threat and flashed some defensive promise, even if he didn’t block any shots this game.
USC’s Alijah Arenas had a rocky start but found his groove in the latter half. A talent with offensive flair, Arenas notched 11 points, showing off a diverse game with long-range shots and a slick reverse pivot fadeaway. Though he didn’t contribute much else beyond scoring, his potential is evident thanks to his athletic build and ball-handling skills.
Baylor’s Tounde Yessoufou, a versatile 6’5″ forward, finished with 9 points, struggling slightly with his accuracy at 4-13 from the field. Yet, his defensive acumen shone brightly. Yessoufou read the game well, intercepting passes to charge on offense, securing 6 steals, and demonstrating strong adaptability against both taller opponents and quick guards.
Representing Duke, Nikolas Khamenia at 6’8″ chipped in with 7 points, scoring efficiently and proving effective in transitions and putbacks. Adding to his performance, he tallied 7 rebounds, 4 offensively, and facilitated with 3 assists.
Meleek Thomas from Arkansas, known for his scoring prowess, had a modest outing with just 6 points. His contributions came from a crafty scoop layup and a smooth three-pointer, also grabbing 4 rebounds and forcing a crucial turnover on defense.
The undecided Brayden Burries added 6 points of his own, hitting the mark on 3 of 8 attempts. His play showcased good ball-handling with effective layups and a transition dunk. He also managed to haul in 4 rebounds.
Louisville’s guard, Mikel Brown, despite scoring only 5 points, excelled in playmaking, lighting up the floor with his passing skills. He completed a slick left-handed finish and executed a strong pick-and-roll game, aiding Dybantsa and ending with 5 assists to a single turnover.
Finally, Caleb Wilson from North Carolina relied on free throws for his 3 points, showing prowess on the offensive boards with 6 rebounds. However, he must stabilize his play, missing all 4 shot attempts and recording 3 turnovers. His future prospects depend on honing these aspects to leverage his size and abilities effectively.
