The Jordan Brand Classic, held annually at Madison Square Garden, held annually for the nation's top high school seniors, is one of the best high school basketball All-Star games in the nation.
“It’s been a real fun week,” Tony Woods said of his time in New York. “Farouq got up here a little late but since then we had fun together. We stayed in New York, got to meet MJ ([Michael Jordan], and the game tonight capped it off.”
“I came late,” Aminu added, “but ending it off with the guys was real fun.
Saturday, Al-Farouq Aminu and Tony Woods, both signees in Wake Forest’s 2008 class, proved they belonged among the nation’s best. Woods, a starter for the White squad, played solid defense and scrapped for eight points and five rebounds as his White team lost 124-114.
Aminu, who was held scoreless in the McDonald’s All-American game, fared better on Saturday although his team fell in defeat. Aminu scored 13 points including a big dunk and pulled down a game high 12 rebounds for the White team.
Although playing in an All-Star game setting is not a perfect fit for their games, both were content with their play on Saturday. “We were passing in practice, but in the game everyone was just going to the goal,” Aminu noted. Woods agreed. “I think I played OK considering it was an All-Star game,” Woods said. “Passing isn’t real big [in all-star games,] but I do think I played pretty well.”
Aminu and Woods are just the third and fourth Demon Deacons to participate in the Jordan Brand Classic as just two other Wake Forest players have been selected. Justin Gray participated in 2002 while Chris Paul was a 2003 participant. Gray scored 17 in 16 minutes the Classic while Paul scored 18 points on 8-11 shooting.