2011 Elite 24 Roster Announced (First 12)

Via ESPN RISE:

The first 12 players selected to participate in the sixth annual Boost Mobile Elite 24 event, the nation’s premier summer showcase, have been announced.

Featuring 24 of the top high school basketball players from across the nation, Boost Mobile Elite 24 participants are selected by high school basketball experts from ESPN RISE and other talent evaluators. 

Players are selected based on their performance during AAU tournaments and national summer camps. The 2011 Boost Mobile Elite 24 will be held at the Venice Beach Courts in Los Angeles on Aug. 26-27.

The game airs live on ESPNU on Saturday at 7 p.m. EDT.

Shabazz Muhammad, an alumnus of the event and a first team ESPN RISE All-American as a junior, headlines the first 12 players selected for the Boost Mobile Elite 24. The Bishop Gorman (Henderson, Nev.) standout is ranked No. 3 in the 2012 class by ESPNU.

“It was a great experience for me last year,” Muhammad said. “It was fun and the weather was great — I really enjoyed myself.”

Other event veterans include Perry Ellis of Wichita Heights (Wichita, Kan.), No. 19 in the ESPNU 100, and No. 5 ranked DaJuan Coleman of Jamesville-DeWitt (DeWitt, N.Y.), selected for the third consecutive year.   

First-time participants include Mitch McGary of Brewster Academy (Wolfeboro, N.H.), No. 4 in the rankings, Kyle Anderson of defending POWERADE FAB 50 national champion St. Anthony (Jersey City, N.J.), No. 10, and Anthony Bennett of Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), No. 46. Although he was injured at times last season, Bennett still earned second team ESPN RISE Underclass All-American honors. He had an outstanding spring and summer — earning raves for his play during the Nike E.Y.B.L., Pangos All-American Camp, and NBPA Camp.

Muhammad and Bennett are confirmed participants for the Under Armour Slam Dunk Contest. The dunk competition airs live on Friday at 6 p.m. EDT.

”I’m excited to be in the dunk contest, but I definitely know that I’ve got to come up with some creative stuff,” Bennett said. “I’ll have to get to work on some good stuff so I can win.

“It’s a big time honor to be picked for the Elite 24. I used to always hear Myck [Kabongo] talk about it last year just saying how much fun he had playing in that game. Now I’m getting a chance to be a part of it. It’s a great feeling.”

Added Muhammad: “I was one of the youngest guys out there. This year I’m going to showcase my skills, be competitive to win the game.”

The full roster, dunk contest participants and team names will be announced in early August.