McDonald's All-American Game 2012: Grading Top Players' Performances

The 2012 McDonald's All-American Game was very exciting on Wednesday night, and the best of the best did not disappoint with the spotlight on them. 

These are the stars of tomorrow, and several of them put on a good show. 

The West team beat the East team 106-102, but it wasn't that close for the entire game. Credit the East team for fighting back after being down by as much as 24 points at one point. 

With that said, it's time to issue out some grades for the top players in the 2012 McDonald's All-American Game. 

West Team

Shabazz Muhammad 

The MVP of the 2012 McDonald's All-American Game, Muhammad lived up to the hype and was easily a crowd favorite. 

He scored nine consecutive points for the West in the game's first three minutes. Muhammad finished the night with a game-high 21 points and six rebounds. 

While he's undecided on his future at the moment, one thing's for sure: Shabazz Muhammad is going to be a force in college basketball next year, no matter where he lands. 

Grade: A+ 

Rasheed Sulaimon

A future Duke Blue Devil, Sulaimon was very clutch for the West in the closing minutes of the game. 

The 6'4" guard scored 18 points, 11 of which came in the second half. He was 4-of-8 from three-point land and made several key plays to help the West get the victory.

Without his great effort on the night, the West probably don't end up winning. During this whole event, it would be no surprise if Sulaimon turned into a recruiter, trying to bring his West teammate, Muhammad, to Duke. 

Grade: A- 

East Team

Kyle Anderson 

Anderson would have won MVP honors if the East got the victory, as he was a star performer last night.

The future UCLA Bruin dropped just 13 points (should have been more, but he missed two dunks), but he recorded eight assists, grabbed eight rebounds and also had four steals.

That is one heck of a performance, which is proof that he fights until the end no matter what game he's playing. This was just an exhibition match, but Anderson definitely gave it his all.  

Grade: A 

Alex Poythress 

Hopefully John Calipari was able to catch a glimpse of Poythress' dominant showing on Wednesday night, because if he did, he would be smiling from ear to ear knowing one of his future players shined in the limelight. 

The 6'7" small forward scored 19 points on the night, but did foul out in the closing minute of the game. Calipari may not like that, but it does show he was playing with great intensity. There's nothing wrong with taking the positive approach to a guy fouling out. 

Had Poythress been able to finish the game, the East may have been able to edge past the West. It didn't happen, and now Poythress will start preparing to fill some big shoes once he arrives to Kentucky. 

Grade: B+