McDonald's All-American Game: Porter wins MVP in West win

CHICAGO – It took a late defensive stand by undecided five-star center Brandon McCoy, but the West held off the East’s furious comeback to win the 2017 McDonald’s All-American game 109-107 as MVP Michael Porter Jr. led the way with 17 points and eight rebounds.

The top ranked player in the class of 2017, Porter validated his No. 1 ranking all week in workouts and the skilled 6-foot-9 forward saved some of his best work for Wednesday night in the United Center.

“This is a dream come true,” said Porter, who is headed to Missouri. “I just wanted to go out there and have fun but this game was competitive. I know a lot of All-Star games people just go up and down the floor and dunk but we were playing hard.

“To be MVP of this game means the world to me. This is the top 24 players in the country so it’s an amazing feeling.”

Also impressive for the West squad was Oregon bound five-star guard Troy Brown. The Las Vegas (Nev.) Centennial product finished with 12 points and seven rebounds and said getting the win was important after getting beaten in Tuesday’s scrimmage.

“We were talking a lot of mess,” said Brown. “After we lost the scrimmage we had a chip on our shoulder to come in and win.”

Ahead by as many as nine points late in the game, the West held off a furious rally from the East squad that was fueled by Alabama bound point guard Collin Sexton (eight points, seven assists and four steals), undecided five-star wing Kevin Knox (15 points and three rebounds) and undecided big man Mohamed Bamba (17 points, five rebounds and four blocks).

With chances to tie the game and force overtime, Sexton and five-star point guard Trevon Duval were both denied by McCoy, who finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, four blocks and four steals.

“I just tried to be in the right position at the right time every time," McCoy said. "I didn’t necessarily go in the game to represent for defense but I just wanted to play the game the right way. I was just blessed to be in the right position to block a shot.”

With a national television audience and a crowd of over 11,000 on hand in the United Center, Porter handled the spotlight and showed off his potential.

“I think for all of us there is a lot of pressure that people put on us,” said Porter. “Me personally, I try to put that aside and not worry about what other people think about me and try to play the game I love.”

* One of the questions headed into McDonald's week was how well 2017's No. 6 ranked player Mitchell Robinson would show. After a solid week of practices and 14 points, three rebound and two block effort for the East he has proven that his ranking is deserved. He has a chance to be special in what might be just one year at Western Kentucky

* Kentucky-bound point guard Quade Green tied Sexton for game high honors with seven assists but also had seven turnovers. It shouldn't at all dampen what was a great week in Chicago for the point guard who will provide leadership in Lexington.

* Shooting proved to be a major problem for both teams on Wednesday night as they went just 11-for-53 from three-point range. One player who did make some shots from deep was the West's Oklahoma bound Trae Young, who hit three of the eight attempts he took. A few of them were from well beyond NBA range. Young finished with nine points and five assists.

* The game's leading rebounder was the nation's No. 2 ranked player DeAndre Ayton of the West. Headed for Arizona, Ayton narrowly missed a double double grabbing 11 rebounds and scoring eight points..