The Jordan Brand Classic has been a top stage for high school basketball talent since its inception in 2002, projecting future NBA stars in an annual all-star game that highlights the best among them.
A recent post by SportsCenter NEXT via X highlights the top 10 all-time scoring leaders in the boys’ game. Let’s take a closer look at the list, breaking down these iconic performances and exploring what made these players stand out on one of basketball’s biggest high school stages.
Emmitt Williams
Topping the list is Emmitt Williams, who scored 44 points in the 2018 Jordan Brand Classic, a performance that surpassed the record of LeBron James. Williams, a five-star recruit who went on to play for LSU, shot 22 of 23 from the field.
His 2018 performance at the Jordan Brand Classic culminated years of hard work, driven by personal, tragic motivation. His best friend and teammate, Stef’an Strawder, was killed in 2016, which fueled him to honor his memory through basketball. Now, Williams is professionally playing for the Gigantes de Carolina in Puerto Rico’s BSN league.
LeBron James: The King’s 2003 Masterclass
LeBron James is a recognized name in basketball and beyond, holding the Jordan Brand Classic scoring record for 15 years with his 34-point performance in 2003. Playing for the Black Jerseys, James didn’t just score but dominated the game, adding 12 rebounds to his stat line and earning co-MVP honors.
All-time scoring leaders from the Jordan Brand Classic.
Emmitt Williams broke Lebron’s record in 2018 👀 pic.twitter.com/BVILpdhM2W
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) April 18, 2025
At the time, LeBron was already an experienced player, a high school senior from St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron, Ohio, who was weeks away from being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jahlil Okafor and Anthony Davis: Tied for Third with 29 Points
Third on the list are Jahlil Okafor and Anthony Davis, both with 29 points. Okafor, representing the East team in 2014, showcased his polished post-game, a skill set that made him one of the most coveted big men of his class.
A product of Whitney Young High School in Chicago, Okafor went on to play for Duke and was later selected third overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Draft.
Anthony Davis, meanwhile, delivered his 29-point performance in 2011 for the Black Jerseys, adding 11 rebounds and four blocks to earn co-MVP honors.
Thaddeus Young and Allonzo Trier: Sharing Fifth Place with 28 Points
Thaddeus Young and Allonzo Trier each scored 28 points, tying for fifth on the all-time list. Playing for the White Jerseys in 2006, Young paired his scoring with 13 rebounds, one of the highest rebounding totals in game history.
A Memphis native, Young went on to play at Georgia Tech before embarking on a lengthy NBA career, most recently with the Phoenix Suns.
Allonzo Trier, meanwhile, represented the West team in 2015 and used his scoring outburst to cap a stellar high school career at Findlay Prep in Nevada. Trier later starred at Arizona before playing in the NBA with the New York Knicks.
Shannon Brown and Carmelo Anthony: Tied for Seventh with 27 Points
Shannon Brown and Carmelo Anthony each had a total of 27 points, tying for seventh. Brown, playing for the Silver Jerseys in 2003, was a high-flying guard from Proviso East High School in Illinois. He went on to play at Michigan State and had a solid NBA career, winning two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Carmelo Anthony, who appeared for the Red team in 2002, delivered a 27-point performance that hinted at his future as one of the NBA’s most creative scorers. A senior at Oak Hill Academy, Anthony led Syracuse to a national championship in 2003 before being drafted third overall by the Denver Nuggets.
Brian Bowen, Andray Blatche, and Sean May: Rounding Out the Top 10 with 26 Points
Tied for ninth with 26 points each are Brian Bowen, Andray Blatche, and Sean May. Bowen, playing for the East team in 2017, was a versatile forward from La Lumiere School in Indiana who later played at South Carolina.
Blatche, representing the White Jerseys in 2005, came out of South Kent School in Connecticut and went straight to the NBA, where he played for the Washington Wizards.
Sean May, also for the White Jerseys in 2002, was a dominant force from Bloomington North High School in Indiana. He went on to star at North Carolina, playing a key role in their 2005 NCAA championship run.
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