2012 McDonalds All American Game: Top Recruits and Video Highlights

As we get closer to the end of the 2011-12 college basketball season, it's never too early to look ahead to next year. The 2012 McDonald's All-American Game will have the future of college basketball, and even the NBA, on full display.

Here are some of the top recruits that will be participating in the annual event. 

Shabazz Muhammad

We can't talk about the 2012 McDonald's All-American Game without talking about No. 1 overall recruit Shabazz Muhammad.

Muhammad hasn't decided on a school yet, but his short list is Kentucky, UNLV, Duke, Kansas, UCLA and USC. 

The nation's best recruit is 6'6" and will throw dunk parties in any given game. He led Bishop Gorman to the Class 4A state championship this year.

After averaging 30 points and 10 rebounds in 2011-12, Muhammad was named Nevada's Boys Hoop Player of the Year.

We will be hearing this name often in 2012-13. 

Kyle Anderson

One of the smoothest players in high school, UCLA recruit Kyle Anderson can play multiple positions at 6'8". He can facilitate, drive, shoot and make plus plays on the offensive side of the floor.

Anderson has great length to go along with his size. He will need to bulk up if he plans on playing in the NBA, but there is no questioning this kid's ability to play the game of basketball.

Isaiah Austin

Baylor's recruit Isaiah Austin is another talented prospect for the Bears. He brings extreme athleticism for being 7'0" tall and has the ability to score offensively.

Austin's upside is tremendous, so I suggest watching what he does in the McDonald's All-American Game because I have a feeling we will be seeing this kid in the NBA. 

Rodney Purvis

North Carolina State will rebound from its Sweet 16 loss to Kansas rather quickly. Mark Gottfried and the Wolfpack have three players playing in the annual event, and Rodney Purvis leads the charge.

Purvis can score in a variety of ways. He is what experts would call a "tweener," but I would prefer to call him a combination guard who could play the 1 and 2 positions if called upon.

For some guards, that could be a negative aspect, but I think this is a positive for Purvis.

Anthony Bennett 

Anthony Bennett is considering Florida, Kentucky, Oregon, UNLV and Washington. Whatever program lands this kid is going to get a strong, 6'7" player who is extremely athletic. 

Bennett has NBA talent and an NBA body. 

Devonta Pollard

Devonta Pollard is another player who hasn't decided on a school. He is considering Alabama, Georgetown, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri and Texas. 

With good length and size, Pollard can defend multiple positions on the floor. Offensively, among several other things, Pollard can be used on the block with a high success rate.  

Archie Goodwin

Besides being in the running for many of these McDonald's All-Americans, Kentucky has Archie Goodwin on his way to the Bluegrass State. 

Goodwin, just like many Kentucky recruits nowadays, will bring athleticism, He can also score in a variety of ways. 

Kris Dunn

Providence's Kris Dunn is a great all-around point guard that can do a plethora of things on the basketball court. He's athletic, can facilitate, can score the basketball, plays good defense and chips in with rebounding.

Dunn will be a great recruit for the Friars. 

Brandon Ashley

Arizona's Brandon Ashley is a recruit that I feel is underrated. His potential at 6'8" with an all-around game is there, but he's not in the top 10 on most "big boards" for high school players. 

His size and game give him extreme upside. 

However, Ashley will need to add strength to his frame he plans on becoming a great college basketball player and future NBA player. 

Marcus Smart

Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart is a bit of a tweener, but he's also capable of playing the 1 or 2 positions. 

At 6'3", Smart will most likely be looked at as a point guard by NBA scouts; his streaky shooting ability doesn't help either. But that's an area that Smart could improve upon at Oklahoma State. 

Smart, as most of the guys mentioned prior, is an athletic player capable of doing many things for his team. 

Check out the full McDonald's All-American Rosters below:

East Team

Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.), SF, UCLA

DaJuan Coleman,  Jamesville-Dewitt (DeWitt, N.Y.), C, Syracuse

Kris Dunn, New London (New London, Conn.), PG, Providence

Perry Ellis, Wichita Heights (Wichita, Kan.), PF, Kansas

Shaq Goodwin, Southwest DeKalb (Decatur, Ga.), PF, Memphis

Gary Harris, Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.), SG, Michigan State

Amile Jefferson , Friends' Central (Wynnewood, Pa.), PF, Undecided

Tyler Lewis, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), PG, N.C. State

Tony Parker, Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.), PF, Undecided

Alex Poythress, Northeast (Clarksville, Tenn.), SF , Kentucky

Rodney Purvis, Upper Room Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.), SG, N.C. State

T.J. Warren, Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), SF, N.C. State


West Team

Brandon Ashley, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), PF, Arizona

Isaiah Austin, Grace Prep (Arlington, Texas), C, Baylor

Anthony Bennett, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), PF, Undecided

Yogi Ferrell, Park Tudor (Indianapolis), PG, Indiana

Archie Goodwin, Sylvan Hills (Sherwood, Ark.), SG, Kentucky

Grant Jerrett, La Verne Lutheran (La Verne, Calif.), PF, Arizona

Shabazz Muhammad, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), SF, Undecided

Marcus Paige, Linn-Mar (Marion, Iowa), PG, North Carolina

Devonta Pollard, Kemper County (De Kalb, Miss.), PF, Undecided

Cameron Ridley, Bush (Fort Bend, Texas), C, Texas

Marcus Smart, Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas), SG, Oklahoma State

Rasheed Sulaimon, Strake Jesuit (Houston), SG, Duke

You can watch the annual event on March 28, 2012 at 9:30 p.m. EDT.