"Alright ladies and gentelmen! This is Cory Alexander here with Ted Emrich and Paul Biancardi as the Mcdonald's all American returns for the first time since 2019!" Cory Alexander, one of the game's announcer's said as the game was about to begin.
"So Ted, Paul, who do you think will be the standout performer of this bunch?"
"Well obviously, these last few years it's been all about the guards. Take a look at Nick Smith, a 6'5 combo guard and really good length. He's explosive and can drive to the basket at will. Someone similar to him is the smaller Amari Bell. He's also a combo guard who can explode to the rim and to top it off has really good defense for his size." Ted Emrich stated.
"I agree with you Ted, but why don't we take a loot at the bigger guys. The pick of the bunch is undoubtedly Dereck Lively ll. He's a great rebounder, very athletic and an anchor in defense, his game also translates to the modern NBA game as centers are becoming better at shooting the three." Cory Alexander added as well, giving his opinion of the top high school prospects.
"Dereck is really good I agree, but I think we're forgetting about someone, Jake Mendoza. Standing at 6 '7, 210 lbs, he's a very proficient and consistent shooter from inside the three point line." Paul Biancardi added his own, picking Jake as his pick.
"He's a great prospect but I don't think his game translates to the modern NBA, or even the NCAA. He doesn't shoot the three very often, and when he does, he's only an average shooter. Shooting only about 36% from beyond the arc." Ted exclaimed, showing criticism to Jake's game.
"But inside the three point line he's shooting 49%, and if you take out all the layups and the shots he took inside the free throw box he's shooting an astonishing 61% from mid-range! Even if he doesn't evolve his game, his defense makes up for it, as he consistently shows that he is a hustle player and can guard the best player on any team. Though his playmaking is still raw he can facilitate well as a team's second playmaker." Paul added even more, defending Jake.
"Alright enough chatting now, the game is about to start! For team east we have Dereck Lively, starting for the east as you would expect. Joined by his future Duke teammate Dariq Whitehead. Then Dillon Mitchell, Chris Livingston and Jarace Walker, all five star prospects for the east. MJ Rice is not here today, due to injury as well as Jaden Bradley is also out with a broken big toe on his right foot."
"As for the west starting lineup, Keyonte George, the number 3 player from the ESPN 100, headed to Baylor. Joined by Cason Wallace the number 1 point guard in the class and Jake Mendoza, a future UCLA Bruin ranked number 7 in the ESPN 100. As he is joined by future UCLA teammate Amari Bailey who is on the bench for his homecoming here in Chicago"
Starting the game off, team West wins the tip as Cason Wallace brings the ball on the court, he dishes out a quick pass to Nick Smith Jr. who shoots a long three which bounces off the rim. Jarace Walker grabs the quick rebound passing out to Dariq Whitehead who bounces it to Dillon Mitchell who lays it up with a hop step. Jake inbounds the ball passing to Cason Wallace who passes to Kel'el Ware who backs down Dereck Lively, having trouble he decides to pass to Jake who tries an uncontested three pointer but misses wildly as he airballs it.
"That's what I've been telling Paul, he can't shoot a three to save his life." Ted exclaimed, adding salt to the wound.
Back to the game Jake ran back with his head down.
"Hey man, don't worry about that, the scouts won't check you off the list cus of the three. Recover from it with some good defense!" Jordan Walsh said, comforting Jake.
Despite playing with very good defense on every possession, team West trails 2-12 with Nick Smith Jr. scoring the only points. Calling timeout, the coach decides to give the team a pep talk.
As the timeout ends, Jake calls for the ball as he drives from coast to coast laying it off over Dereck Lively with a smooth finger roll. As the game went on the first ten minutes ended as the score ended with the score close, team East leading 23-17.
With 5 minutes left in the first half, Jake returns to the game. Though he didn't have any points left, he did have 2 assists and 3 rebounds with 2 steals and a block.
Being assigned a point forward position, with the score 42-30 for team East. Going down the court, Jake passes quickly to Gradey Dick who knocks down a corner three. Now on defense, Cam Whitmore attempted a bounce pass to Dereck Lively but Jake quickly poked it away as Anthony Black picked the ball up and threw it up to Jake for a lob. He smashed it into the rim with a back scratcher dunk which hyped up the crowd.
Now with momentum with team west, in 3 minutes they had managed to cut down the lead to five. Jake scoring six from team West's 12-5 run. With the clock running down, twenty seconds left Jake had the ball, he had passed to Gradey Dick who shot a three but missed.
Jake grabbed the ball of Dereck Lively and passed back to Jake who passed it to Anthony Black who tried a floater but as it bounced on the rim. Jake flew in and did a put back dunk over Dereck Lively. The crowd erupted, sstanding over Dereck Lively he stepped over him, now with only 5 seconds left, Dereck tried a full court pass but Gradey stole the ball and launched the ball and hit the half court shot to beat the buzzer.
With the ball swishing in the rim, the crowd once more erupted, though not as loud.
Jake tried running back to the locker room but was stopped as he was asked to do an interview.
"Alright Jake, 8 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, an astonishing 4 steals a block and two spectacular dunks. What kind of shots are you seeing opening up for yourself out here?" The reporter had asked him which he simply replied with, "Well, I'm just doing what the defense gives. Waiting for any opportunities that I can contribute for both defense and offense, but really I'm just doing my best."
"Great, and playing with and against the best players in your class, how does it feel putting in this performance."
"Well first of all I wanna thank the lord Jesus Christ and my family, they give me the inspiration to do what I do. Years of hard work, years of watching legendary players, playing in the court where they played, it's all a blessing."
"Perfect, alright Jake thanks."
"No problem." Jake responded as he headed to the locker room, readying up for the second half with the game now in team West's momentum, they lead 49-47.