Jordan Brand Classic

The Jordan Brand Classic is a high school all star basketball game played annually in April. The game's rosters feature the best and most highly recruited high school boys and girls in the senior class. In 2015, a girl's game was introduced.

The game takes its name from the chief organizer, Jordan Brand, a division of Nike named after Michael Jordan. The 22 players are routinely selected from the top 100 players as ranked by numerous scouting services.

Jordan Brand previously sponsored the Capital Classic in the Washington, D.C. area, from 2002 to 2004, when it was known as the Jordan Brand Capital Classic. After Michael Jordan was unable to move the game to New York, he started the Jordan Brand Classic.^[1][2]

The 2002 Jordan Capital Classic was played at Washington, D.C.'s MCI Center with many players who went on to play in the NBA. The White Jerseys, led by coach Steve Smith of Oak Hill Academy, had Co-MVP's Sean May (Sacramento Kings) and Amar'e Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns) contribute 49 points and 27 rebounds to their victory. In fact, nine of the 12 White Team players scored in double-figures, including Rashad McCants (Minnesota Timberwolves) who went 10-13 from the field for 23 points. For the Red Team, fans saw former Oak Hill teammates Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks) and Justin Gray (Wake Forest) score 27 and 17 points respectively. Over the next four years, this class would include representation on three National Champions (Anthony, McCants, May and Denham Brown) and numerous NBA lottery picks.

The 2003 Jordan Brand Capital Classic was played in front of a sold-out crowd of 18,424 fans at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. The game gave a glimpse at many future NBA players from the start, but the second half belonged to Co-MVP Shannon Brown (Los Angeles Lakers) as he led the Silver Jerseys with 27 points and eight assists. His teammate Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers) added 18 points and five assists to go along with a solid defensive effort. Co-MVP LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) finished the game with 34 points and 12 rebounds for the Black Jerseys. Linas Kleiza (Europe) scored 16 points and had 10 rebounds and Kris Humphries (Boston Celtics) contributed 12 points and 12 rebounds to pace the Black Jerseys. The Silver Jerseys outscored their opponents by nine in the second half to prevail 107–102. The event also included musical performances by Bow Wow and Ludacris.

This was the last year that Jordan Brand was the title sponsor of the Capital Classic.^[1] The Black Jerseys won with the contribution of the year's No. 1 NBA Draft pick as they defeated the White Jerseys by a score of 107–96 at the Comcast Center on the campus of the University of Maryland. The Black Jerseys, which took the lead at the beginning of the game and never looked back, were led by Dwight Howard (Los Angeles Lakers) of Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. He was voted the game's MVP with 18 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks. Dorell Wright (Miami Heat) had 24 points and seven rebounds for the White Jerseys in a losing cause. Complementing Howard's dominating performance were Malik Hairston (San Antonio Spurs) who chipped in 23 points and Robert Vaden (Indiana) who added 21 points to lead the Black Jerseys to the win. Al Jefferson (Charlotte Hornets) had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Rajon Rondo (Chicago Bulls) scored 12 points and recorded five assists in the losing effort for the White Jerseys. The Class of 2004 included a number of others who starred during the 2006 NCAA season including National Champion Corey Brewer (Florida), Jordan Farmar (UCLA), Daniel Gibson (Texas), LaMarcus Aldridge (Texas) and Rudy Gay (Connecticut).

A new home was chosen for the Jordan All-American Classic as the event took center stage at Madison Square Garden in New York City before a crowd that included the likes of Michael Jordan, Spike Lee, Terrell Owens, Vince Carter and a special performance by Fat Joe. In the last year before the NBA restricted players from leaving directly for the NBA, a quarter of the 2005 Jordan All-Americans went from this game directly to the professional ranks. One of those NBA draft picks, Andray Blatche (Washington Wizards), finished off his high school career with a Co-MVP performance of 26 points on 12–17 shooting with 16 rebounds to lead the White Jerseys. Sharing the award was Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina) who helped his Gray Jerseys to a last-minute 127–126 win with 24 points and nine rebounds. Joining Blatche making the leap to the NBA included C.J. Miles (Utah Jazz), Louis Williams (Philadelphia 76ers), Andrew Bynum (LA Lakers), and Martell Webster (Portland Trail Blazers).

For the second consecutive year the Jordan Classic was played in New York City at the Madison Square Garden. 10,000 plus people were in attendance. Georgia Tech-bound Thaddeus Young earned co-Most Valuable Player honors as he finished with 28 points and 13 rebounds to lead the White Jerseys to the 108–95 victory over the Black Jerseys. Young was joined by co-MVP Kevin Durant (Texas) who had 16 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. The event was attended by Michael Jordan, LL Cool J, Warren Sapp, Floyd Mayweather, Ahmad Rashad, Al Harrington, Rudy Gay, Fabolous, and Vince Carter. Atlanta-based rapper T.I., who starred in the movie ‘ATL’ and had the No.1 album ‘King’, performed prior to the All-American game. Young helped the White Jerseys take a seven-point first-half lead in a game that was close from the start. His 28 points was the second-highest all-time scoring total behind 34 points from LeBron James in 2003 and Young's 13 rebounds were the fourth-highest mark in game history as well. Another standout performer for the White Jerseys was Sherron Collins (Kansas) with 14 points and six assists. For the Black Jerseys, Durant was joined by the Syracuse recruit tandem of Paul Harris and Mike Jones who each chipped in 16 points. Brandan Wright (North Carolina), Wayne Ellington (North Carolina), Edgar Sosa (Louisville) and DeShawn Sims (Michigan) also each finished in double-figures.

Corey Fisher (Villanova) tallied 10 assists to set a new record for the Jordan Brand All-American Classic, presented by Foot Locker and Boost Mobile, as he led his Yellow Jerseys to the 127–119 victory at Madison Square Garden. The Yellow Jerseys also got contributions from Eric Gordon (Indiana), Kyle Singler (Duke) and Austin Freeman (Georgetown) who each had 16 points a piece. Jeff Robinson (Memphis) led the Yellow Jerseys with 17 points. Donté Greene (Syracuse), who also won the dunk contest earlier in the week, led the Royal Jerseys with 20 points to share the MVP award with Fisher. The Royal Jerseys had solid performances from Patrick Patterson (Kentucky) who recorded 12 points and 12 rebounds along with Jerryd Bayless who poured in 17 points and dished out three assists. This year's event was the first high school all-star game to be televised in High Definition, with a live national broadcast on ESPN2.

Brandon Jennings (Italy) earned co-Most Valuable Player honors tonight as he finished with 10 points and 14 assists to lead the Blue Jerseys to the 124–114 victory over the White Jerseys in the 2008 Jordan Brand Classic. Jennings was joined by co-MVP Tyreke Evans (Memphis) who had 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Jennings’ 14 assists broke the event record previously held by Corey Fisher while his teammates Scotty Hopson (Tennessee) and DeMar DeRozan (USC) contributed 21 and 17 points respectively. The White Jerseys saw solid contributions from Devin Ebanks (West Virginia), who had 20 points and four rebounds and Samardo Samuels (Louisville) who tallied 16 points and five boards. The game saw the attendance of various celebrities, among which Vince Carter, Rudy Gay, Kevin Durant, Ron Harper, Mýa and Michael Jordan. Boyz II Men opened the event singing the national anthem.

Georgia Tech-bound Derrick Favors earned co-Most Valuable Player honors as he finished with 21 points and five rebounds to lead the Black Jerseys to the 110–103 victory over the White Jerseys. Favors was joined by co-MVP Renardo Sidney (Mississippi State) who had 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Other statistical standouts included Wally Judge (Kansas State) with 18 points, John Wall (Kentucky) with six assists, Daniel Orton (Kentucky) with nine rebounds and John Henson (North Carolina) with four blocks. Michael Jordan, CC Sabathia, Spike Lee, Fat Joe, Vince Carter and Kevin Durant attended the game, among others. Grammy nominee recording artist Akon, performed during halftime of the All-American game.

North Carolina-bound Harrison Barnes earned co-Most Valuable Player honors as he finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds to lead the White Jerseys to the 129–125 victory over the Black Jerseys at the 2010 Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Harrison Barnes was joined by co-MVP Kyrie Irving (Duke) who had 22 points, seven assists and four rebounds for the Black Jerseys. Other statistical standouts included Josh Selby (Kansas) with 21 points, Cory Joseph (Texas) with seven assists, Tristan Thompson (Texas) with 13 rebounds and Jared Sullinger (Ohio State) with four blocks. A highlight of the evening was college announcements in front of the Madison Square Garden crowd and national ESPN television audience from Josh Selby, who committed to Kansas and New York City native Doron Lamb, who announced that he will be attending Kentucky in the fall. The Jordan Brand Classic saw the participation of various musicians and sports personalities including Chris Paul, Jadakiss, DJ Clue, Mario, MC Lyte, Lee England, DJ Clark Kent, Skyzoo and Alex Thomas. Multi-platinum recording artist and actor Common headlined the halftime musical performance while R&B artist and songwriter Marsha Ambrosius performed the National Anthem.

Kentucky-bound Anthony Davis earned co-Most Valuable Player honors tonight, as he finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds and 4 blocks for the West All-Americans who lost to the East All-Americans 113–109 at the 10th anniversary Jordan Brand Classic presented by Foot Locker. Davis was joined by co-MVP James Michael McAdoo (UNC) who had 26 points, 14 rebounds for the East All-Americans. Other statistical standouts in the game included Austin Rivers (Duke) with 16 points, Tony Wroten (Washington) with 10 assists, Bradley Beal (Florida) with 8 rebounds and Khem Birch (Pittsburgh) with 5 blocks. Sponsored by Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc., the event was attended by celebrities, including North Carolina native J. Cole headlining the post-game performance. In addition, beat maker AraabMuzik was featured at halftime and singer Anthony Hamilton performed the National Anthem.

Shabazz Muhammad (UCLA) earned co-Most Valuable Player honors tonight as he showcased his talents on the National stage, leading the West All-Americans with 20 points and four rebounds. Muhammad was joined by co-MVP Rodney Purvis (UCONN) who shined in his home state of North Carolina leading the East All-Americans with 22 points and three steals. Other statistical standouts included Alex Poythress (Kentucky) with 16 points, Archie Goodwin (Kentucky) with 14 points and four assists, Kaleb Tarczewski (Arizona) with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Tony Parker (UCLA) with 12 rebounds. Sponsored by Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc., the event was once again attended by some of sport and entertainment's celebrities, including a post game performance by rapper Fabolous. The North Carolina A&T University marching band was featured at halftime and violinist Lee England Jr. performed the National Anthem.

Julius Randle (Dallas, TX/Kentucky) earned co-Most Valuable Player honors as he finished with 19 points and seven rebounds at the 12th annual Jordan Brand Classic. Sharing the co-MVP honors was Jabari Parker (Chicago, IL/Duke), who had 16 points and seven rebounds. The Jordan Brand Classic not only features future stars on the court, but many prominent celebrities such as Michael Jordan, Mark Wahlberg, CC Sabathia, Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, Fabolous and J. R. Smith were in attendance. In addition to the post-game performance by Drake, the X-Factor Drumline wowed fans during the International Game halftime and Saxophonist Mike Phillips and violinist Lee England, Jr. performed together during the National Game halftime show. Other standouts in the game included Nigel Williams-Goss (Henderson, NV/Washington), who had 17 points for the West team and Andrew Wiggins (Huntington, VA/Kansas) who had 19 points for the East. The event concluded a week of activities around Brooklyn and New York City, including a special movie screening with director Spike Lee at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, an awards dinner at ThreeSixity and a tour of the Gleason's Boxing Gym with Team Jordan athlete Andre Ward.

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• Patrick Baldwin Jr.
• Paolo Banchero
• Tamar Bates
• Charles Bediako
• Nathan Bittle
• Malaki Branham
• Kendall Brown
• Kobe Bufkin
• Kennedy Chandler
• Max Christie
• Daimion Collins
• JD Davison
• Moussa Diabaté
• Michael Foster Jr.
• AJ Griffin
• Jaden Hardy
• Nolan Hickman
• Chet Holmgren
• Bryce Hopkins
• Caleb Houstan
• Trevor Keels
• Langston Love
• Bryce McGowens
• Aminu Mohammed
• Efton Reid
• Hunter Sallis
• Jabari Smith Jr.
• TyTy Washington
• Peyton Watson
• Benny Williams

Source^[27]

• Jordan Brand Classic website
• Official website
• List of Alumni