The 2011-12 ESPNHS All-American elite team includes 17 of the nation's best seniors, led by Mr. Basketball USA Shabazz Muhammad of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), and three talented juniors among the top 20 selected players.
A 30-player honorable mention list, which includes four additional juniors and ESPNHS National Sophomore of the Year Andrew Wiggins of Huntington Prep (Huntington, W.Va.), also has been chosen.
ESPNHS staff members selected this performance-based squad with input from Mr. Basketball USA panelists.
2011-12 ESPNHS All-American Elite Team
First team
G --
264/kyle-anderson" target="_self">Kyle Anderson, St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.) 6-8 Sr.
Anderson didn't play in a losing game his last two seasons with the 65-0 Friars. This season the UCLA recruit led the Friars to a 32-0 record and repeat state Tournament of Champions' crown while ranking No. 3 in the POWERADE FAB 50 after St. Anthony won the mythical national title his junior year. A McDonald's All-American and three-time all-stater, Anderson averaged 14.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists as a senior.
G --
772/marcus-smart" target="_self">Marcus Smart, Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas) 6-4 Sr.
The McDonald's All-American and two-time Gatorade State Player of the Year led Marcus to a repeat state Class 5A title. Marcus finished 39-2 and ranked No. 5 in the POWERADE FAB 50. An Oklahoma State recruit and state Class 5A player of year honoree, Smart averaged 15.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and five assists a game while shooting 66.9 percent from the floor on a balanced, low-scoring team. Smart has the ability to play point guard or attack from the wing and is known for his all-around defensive ability.
F --
514/shabazz-muhammad" target="_self">Shabazz Muhammad, Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) 6-6 Sr.
The 2012 Mr. Basketball USA honoree and McDonald's All-American is considered one of Las Vegas' greatest prep players alongside Valley's Freddie Banks, the region's first McDonald's All-American in 1983. As Banks did, Muhammad won three state titles. The UCLA recruit also finished his prep career with 2,210 career points.
F --
0708/jabari-parker" target="_self">Jabari Parker, Simeon (Chicago) 6-8 Jr.
The ESPNHS National Junior of the Year is the first non-senior to be named Illinois Mr. Basketball in the 32-year history of the award. He also is the fourth underclassman to win the Gatorade National Player of the Year award, which is based on athletic and academic achievement. Next year, the McDonald's All-American Game will be held in Parker's hometown of Chicago for the third consecutive year. With a strong senior season, his prep achievements should surpass those of former Simeon greats Derrick Rose and Ben Wilson.
C --
363/nerlens-noel" target="_self">Nerlens Noel, Tilton School (Tilton, N.H.) 6-11 Sr.
The nation's best shot-blocker impacted the game on the defensive end more than any player in the country. Noel averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots for the New England Preparatory Schools Athletic Council Class AA runner-up. With his timing and ability to stay out of foul trouble, many national scouts think the Kentucky recruit is the best long-term prospect in this group.
Second team
G --
416/marcus-paige" target="_self">Marcus Paige, Linn-Mar (Marion, Iowa) 6-1 Sr.
Arguably the nation's best pure point guard, Paige follows Harrison Barnes of Ames as an Iowa prep standout who chose North Carolina for college. Known for his quiet leadership on the court, Paige also gets it done in the classroom with a 4.07 GPA. Paige averaged 28.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.7 steals for team that advanced to the Class 4A semifinals. The No. 22 prospect in the ESPN 100 had seven assists in the McDonald's All-American Game.
G --
405/rasheed-sulaimon" target="_self">Rasheed Sulaimon, Strake Jesuit (Houston) 6-4 Sr.
The sweet-shooting guard capped a productive career with a scoring average of 27.7 points while hitting 57.3 percent from the floor, including 40.6 percent from 3-point range. The McDonald's All-America and Jordan Brand Classic selection earned all-state and Houston area all-star honors for a 26-4 Class 5A team. The Duke recruit also led Strake Jesuit in assists and defensive rebounds.
F --
2823/alex-poythress" target="_self">Alex Poythress, Northeast (Clarksville, Tenn.) 6-8 Sr.
The Kentucky recruit and McDonald's All-American swept all-state Player of the Year honors including Class AAA Mr. Basketball. He averaged 28.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 4.3 blocked shots a game for the 28-3 team. He shot a torrid 69.9 percent from the floor and was a dominant presence in games both inside and outside, offensively and defensively. Career-wise, Poythress ended with 2,065 points and capped his senior season with a stellar performance at the McDonald's All-American Game, where he scored 19 points in a losing effort.
F --
2849/julius-randle" target="_self">Julius Randle, Prestonwood Christian (Plano, Texas) 6-9 Jr.
The highly-recruited left-handed combo forward led the Lions to a 27-4 record and the state TAPPS Class 5A crown. He also led Prestonwood to the title at the prestigious City of Palms Holiday tournament where he was named MVP. He averaged 21.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists a game while shooting 65.2 percent from the floor. He was a legitimate contender for Mr. Basketball USA, which is rare for a junior, and helped his team to a No. 10 ranking in the FAB 50.
C --
468/isaiah-austin" target="_self">Isaiah Austin, Grace Prep (Arlington, Texas) 7-0 Sr.
The Baylor recruit and McDonald's All-American led the 27-4 Lions to their second straight TAPPS Class 4A title and No. 22 ranking in the FAB 50. The multidimensional post player averaged 15 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots a game while also showing a soft touch from the perimeter. A TAPPS all-state honoree, he also repeated as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram area Player of the Year. Ranked No. 3 in the ESPN 100, Austin has the ability to be even more dominant on the college and pro level than he was on the prep level with added strength.
Third team
G --
406/tyler-lewis" target="_self">Tyler Lewis, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 5-11 Sr.
Nobody benefited more from his in-season play than this pass-first lead guard headed to NC State. After a solid summer, Lewis' early-season play vaulted him into national player of the year talks and earned him a spot on the McDonald's All-American team. For the FAB 50 national champion Warriors, Lewis finished the season averaging 12.1 points and 8.0 assists while setting the tone for a talented unit. Lewis shot 51 percent from the field and better than 81 percent from the foul line.
G --
6121/archie-goodwin" target="_self">Archie Goodwin, Sylvan Hills (Little Rock, Ark.) 6-5 Sr.
One of the finest scorers in the country, Goodwin is the most highly acclaimed player from the state of Arkansas since Russellville's Corliss Williamson in 1992. The Kentucky recruit averaged 25.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.2 assists per game for the Class 5A state champions. Goodwin earned Gatorade State Player of the Year honors twice and was a three-time all-state choice.
F --
195/aaron-gordon" target="_self">Aaron Gordon, Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) 6-8 Jr.
One of the most versatile talents in the country, Gordon played anywhere from the pivot to the point for the CIF Division II state champs. Despite dealing with a case of mononucleosis midseason, Gordon averaged 22.9 points, 12.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 blocks for a 31-3 team ranked No. 34 in the FAB 50. In the state final, he had 33 points and 20 rebounds. He'll enter next season as California's first legit Mr. Basketball USA candidate since Tyson Chandler of Dominguez (Compton, Calif.) in 2001.
F --
601/perry-ellis" target="_self">Perry Ellis, Wichita Heights (Wichita, Kan.) 6-8 Sr.
A repeat elite team selection, Ellis finished his historic prep career as Kansas' first four-time all-state choice. He's also the first four-time Gatorade State Player of the Year in the 27-year history of the award. This season, the Kansas recruit averaged 25.7 points, 9.9 rebounds and shot better than 68 percent from the field. He led Wichita Heights on a state record 62-game winning streak and to its fourth consecutive Class 6A state title while scoring a city record 2,231 career points.
C --
469/tony-parker" target="_self">Tony Parker, Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.) 6-9 Sr.
One of three repeat elite team selections along with Shabazz Muhammad and Perry Ellis, Parker led Miller Grove to its fourth consecutive Class AAAA state title. He averaged 16.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and three blocks per game against a national schedule and was chosen to both the McDonald's All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic. Miller Grove's struggles against a national schedule likely cost Parker a realistic shot at Mr. Basketball USA honors. Individually, however, he was the most dominant player in a state with an abundance of talent. He remains undecided on his college choice.
Fourth team
G --
0410/kris-dunn" target="_self">Kris Dunn, New London (New London, Conn.) 6-3 Sr.
As a senior, the Providence recruit was a scoring machine for the 23-3 team with a 31.4 per game average. He also had norms of 12 rebounds, five assists and four steals a game while shooting 60 percent on 2-point goals. In one game versus Stonington, he had 32 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists and 10 steals. Dunn, a three-time all-state selection, is the first elite team selection from Connecticut since former NBA forward Charles Smith of Warren Harding (Bridgeport, Conn.) in 1984 and earned numerous end-of-season honors: McDonald's All-American, Gatorade State Player of the Year and media state player of the year.
G --
087/katin-reinhardt" target="_self">Katin Reinhardt, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 6-5 Sr.
There were no glaring snubs when it came to this year's McDonald's All-American team, but Sam Dekker and Reinhardt were two of the names mentioned often as deserving. After earning all-state honors as a junior, Reinhardt displayed marked improvement in his decision-making and all-around play this year, averaging a team-best 18.6 points for the Division I state champs. The Los Angeles Times' Player of the Year was at his best in big games for a team which only lost two overtime, out-of-state games. His big performances included a 35-point effort against Christ The King (Middle Village, N.Y.) and 30 points in the state title game while playing with a broken thumb.
F --
6220/sam-dekker" target="_self">Sam Dekker, Sheboygan Lutheran (Sheboygan, Wis.) 6-7 Sr.
A unanimous choice as state Player of the Year, including Gatorade, the Wisconsin recruit led the Crusaders to a state Division 5 title by avenging a regular-season loss in the finals to Racine Lutheran. In the 67-66 win, he finished with 40 points and 13 rebounds. Included in his clutch effort were his team's final 12 points in the last 48.5 seconds and the game-winning 3-point goal with six seconds left. He averaged 32.5 points and 13.2 rebounds and shot 58.7 percent from the floor for a 25-4 team. The four-year performer ended with 2,629 career points, fourth best in state history.
F --
5987/winston-shepard" target="_self">Winston Shepard, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-8 Sr.
At first glance, it may seem a bit of surprise to see this San Diego State recruit as the highest honored player from the No. 2 ranked team in the country, but a closer inspection makes him a slam dunk choice. McDonald's All-American Anthony Bennett simply did not play enough games to be eligible and Shepard was more consistent than honorable mention selection Brandon Ashley, the Pilots' other McDonald's All-American alongside Bennett. Like Oak Hill's Tyler Lewis, Shepard was the ultimate glue player, averaging 15.5 points and 7.0 rebounds while setting a program record with a 6.9 assist average. He was also praised for his defensive work in big games against All-Americans such as Shabazz Muhammad, Jabari Parker and Michael Frazier.
F --
795/amile-jefferson" target="_self">Amile Jefferson, Friends' Central (Wynnewood, Pa.) 6-8 Sr.
Led his 21-5 team to a fourth straight state Independent Schools' crown to follow up on a junior season when Friends' Central was 22-4 and ranked No. 38 in the FAB 50. He followed up a stellar summer that saw him lead the NBPA Top 100 Camp in scoring (20.8) with spectacular numbers as a senior. He averaged 19.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks a game while shooting 58.4 percent from the floor. A repeat selection as state Gatorade Player of the Year, and Class AA honoree, this McDonald's All-American has yet to commit to a college. Duke, NC State and Villanova are on his short list.
Honorable mentions
G --
777/anrio-adams" target="_self">Anrio Adams, Rainier Beach (Seattle) 6-3 Sr.
F --
412/jordan-adams" target="_self">Jordan Adams, Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 6-5 Sr.
F --
259/justin-anderson" target="_self"> Justin Anderson, Montrose Christian (Rockville, Md.) 6-7 Sr.
F --
558/brandon-ashley" target="_self">Brandon Ashley, Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) 6-9 Sr.
F --
3135/cameron-biedscheid" target="_self">Cameron Biedscheid, Cardinal Ritter (St. Louis) 6-6 Sr.
G --
424/omar-calhoun" target="_self">Omar Calhoun, Christ The King (Middle Village, N.Y.) 6-3 Sr.
C --
911/dajuan-coleman" target="_self">DaJuan Coleman, Jamesville-DeWitt (DeWitt, N.Y.) 6-9 Sr.
C --
2643/matt-costello" target="_self">Matt Costello, Bay City Western (Auburn, Mich.) 6-9 Sr.
G --
413/yogi-ferrell" target="_self">Kevin "Yogi" Ferrell, Park Tudor (Indianapolis, Ind.) 5-11 Sr.
G --
501/michael-frazier" target="_self">Michael Frazier, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-4 Sr.
F --
995/ricardo-gathers" target="_self">Ricardo Gathers, Riverside Academy (Reserve, La.) 6-7 Sr.
F --
060/savon-goodman" target="_self">Savon Goodman, Constitution (Philadelphia) 6-5 Sr.
F --
2312/shaq-goodwin" target="_self">William "Shaq" Goodwin, Southwest DeKalb (Decatur, Ga.) 6-8 Sr.
G --
2653/gary-harris" target="_self">Gary Harris, Hamilton Southeastern (Fishers, Ind.) 6-4 Sr.
G --
0714/aaron-harrison" target="_self">Aaron Harrison, Fort Bend Travis (Richmond, Texas) 6-4 Jr.
G --
0776/kasey-hill" target="_self">Kasey Hill, Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-1 Jr.
G --
3621/patrick-holloway" target="_self">Patrick Holloway, Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) 6-1 Sr.
F --
0742/rondae-jefferson" target="_self">Rondae Jefferson, Chester (Pa.) 6-7 Jr.
C --
223/grant-jerrett" target="_self">Grant Jerrett, Lutheran (La Verne, Calif.) 6-9 Sr.
F --
258/kris-jenkins" target="_self">Kris Jenkins, Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) 6-6 Jr.
F --
482/xavier-johnson" target="_self">Xavier Johnson, Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) 6-6 Sr.
F --
8725/jordan-loveridge" target="_self">Jordan Loveridge, West Jordan (Utah) 6-6 Sr.
F --
465/evan-nolte" target="_self">Evan Nolte, Milton (Ga.) 6-8 Sr.
F --
1083/devonta-pollard" target="_self">Devonta Pollard, Kemper County (Porterville, Miss.) 6-8 Sr.
G --
459/rodney-purvis" target="_self">Rodney Purvis, Upper Room Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) 6-4 Sr.
C --
2409/cameron-ridley" target="_self">Cameron Ridley, Bush (Fort Bend, Texas) 6-11 Sr.
C --
0252/josh-scott" target="_self">Josh Scott, Lewis-Palmer (Monument, Colo.) 6-10 Sr.
F --
24/adolphus-washington" target="_self">Adolphus Washington, Taft (Cincinnati, Ohio) 6-6 Sr.
F --
74/andrew-wiggins" target="_self">Andrew Wiggins, Huntington Prep (Huntington, W. Va.) 6-7 Soph.
C --
4454/adam-woodbury" target="_self">Adam Woodbury, East (Sioux City, Iowa) 7-0 Sr.
Note: All selections based on high school accomplishment and are reflective of players who led their teams to state championships. Fifth-year players and those ineligible due to age or academics are not eligible.