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Shabazz Muhammad, Rodney Purvis share MVP at 2012 Jordan Brand Classic

ShabazzMuhammadHeadshot

With the Jordan Brand Classic taking place at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, it seemed only fitting that an in-state prospect, committed to an in-state school, would bring home co-MVP honors.

Rodney Purvis, a 6-4 guard from Raleigh, N.C., scored 22 points and had three steals for the East All-Americans in a 99-95 loss to the West in the 2012 Jordan Brand Classic on Saturday night.

UCLA signee Shabazz Muhammad shared the MVP honors with Purvis, scoring 20 points and grabbing four rebounds for the West.

Those two young men join elite company when it comes to former Jordan Brand MVPs, a list that includes Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Brandon Jennings, Amare Stoudemire, and Kevin Durant.

Purvis showed on Saturday night why he has the potential to be such an asset next year at the college level, signed to play for Mark Gottfried and NC State. He was the East’s best attacking player, slashing to the basket and getting points in the paint.

Following the airing of his decision to sign with UCLA Wednesday night, Muhammad gave Bruins fans another taste of the scorer they should expect to see in Westwood in the fall.

Fellow Bruins signee Kyle Anderson of St. Anthony (N.J.) chipped in with 14 points and nine rebounds.

A host of local college players were at the game, including James Michael McAdoo, Harrison Barnes, CJ Leslie, and Kendall Marshall.

Kentucky freshman and presumed No. 1 pick in the NBA draft Anthony Davis was also in attendance.

As the Charlotte Bobcats currently stand with a record of 7-51, they are in line to have the best probability of scoring the first overall pick, so Davis may want to take a tour around Charlotte and see how he likes the area because it may be his new home, come June.

Check out highlights of the game here, courtesy of Ball is Life.

Daniel Martin is a writer and editor at JohnnyJungle.com, covering St. John’s. You can find him on Twitter:@DanielJMartin_