Six California athletes help West earn first win since 2018 in McDonald’s All-American boys basketball game; Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer are co-MVPs

Six California competitors helped the West team avoid the first five-game losing streak in the history of the McDonald’s All-American boys basketball game Tuesday night, combining to score 63 points in a 105-92 victory against the East at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Darryn Peterson of Prolific Prep in Napa, a Kansas commit, was selected co-MVP of the event after producing 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals for the West, which secured its first victory in the all-star showcase since 2018.

Peterson became the first male athlete representing California to earn or share top honors in the McDonald’s All-American boys basketball game since Josh Jackson of Prolific Prep in 2016.

Cameron Boozer of Columbus High in Florida, a Duke signee, also earned co-MVP recognition after contributing 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds for the East, which still leads the all-time series by a 24-22 margin.

Darryn Peterson, left, and Cameron Boozer | Photo courtesy of Pamela Smith, McDonald’s All-American game

Nikola Bundalo, a Washington-bound forward and teammate of Peterson at Prolific Prep, added 12 points and six rebounds for the West, which scored 14 consecutive points in the second quarter to grab a 48-40 halftime advantage.

Alijah Arenas of Chatsworth, a USC commit and the career scoring leader in the L.A. City Section, finished with 11 points, including a pair of 3-point field goals for the West. Arenas’ free throw late in the third quarter gave the West a 74-70 lead entering the fourth.

Tounde Yessoufou of Santa Maria St. Joseph, a Baylor signee and the all-time scoring leader in California high school boys basketball, had nine points, four rebounds, three assists and a game-high six steals for the West, which relied on a six-point run after the East cut the deficit to 79-74 and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

Nik Khamenia of Harvard-Westlake, one of three Duke commits competing in the contest along with Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer for the East, recorded seven points, seven rebounds and three assists for the West, converting a three-point play with two minutes left to extend the lead to 98-84.

Brayden Burries from Eastvale Roosevelt, who led the Mustangs to the Open Division state championship, produced six points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal for the West, which overcame a 24-21 deficit following the first quarter.

Burries was one of two athletes yet to sign among the 24 male competitors selected to play in the event, along with Nate Ament of Highland High in Virginia, who had 12 points and three rebounds for the East.

Khamenia, Peterson and Chris Cenac of Link Academy in Missouri helped the West produce a 54-44 rebounding advantage.

Peterson, Yessoufou and Brigham Young commit AJ Dybantsa of Utah Prep, who had 17 points, contributed to a 68-40 scoring edge in the paint for the West.

Yessoufou prevailed Monday in the slam dunk contest at the Sprite Jam Fest at Barclays Center, accumulating 93 points from his first two attempts, then winning in the final round with a 49, following a windmill dunk along the baseline after the ball was thrown off the side of the backboard.

Tounde Yessoufou | Photo courtesy of Pamela Smith, McDonald’s All-American game

Khamenia edged Burries in a back-and-forth showdown as the final two athletes remaining in the boys knockout contest.

Mikel Brown, Jr. of DME Academy in Florida held off Khamenia by a 20-19 margin to prevail in the boys 3-point shootout.

Brown, a Louisville signee, then triumphed with 28 in the Battle of the Sexes 3-point showdown against Oklahoma commit Aaliyah Chavez of Lubbock Monterey in Texas, who finished with 25.

Burries, Khamenia, Peterson and Yessoufou are scheduled to join forces again April 18 for Team Air at the Jordan Brand Classic all-star event at the CareFirst Arena in Washington D.C.

Khamenia is part of the Team USA men’s roster April 12 for the Nike Hoop Summit at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore.

Tajh Ariza of Westchester High, representing Japan, and Benin native Yessoufou are both competing for the World men’s roster at the Nike Hoop Summit.