MVP performance for Heron

Auburn signee Mustapha Heron showed why he was one of the nation’s top recruits Friday night.

The five-star, who will be moving to Auburn in a little more than a month, scored a game-high 32 points to lead the White team to a 144-132 in the Kentucky Derby Classic all-star game at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky.

Heron was named White team MVP.

“It was real fun,” Heron said. “I just played my game, which I normally do. I like to go up and down and play hard.”

Heron, a 6-foot-5 guard from Waterbury, Conn., scored 18 points at the half and 11 in the third quarter.

Heron was asked after the game why he chose Auburn over offers from other more established basketball programs.

“Bruce Pearl,” Heron said. “When I was young, my dad said that’s the coach he wanted me to play for. He lets his guards go. He trusts them.”

Another Auburn signee, point guard Jared Harper, was also a standout at the Derby Classic. Harper scored 14 points in the game, won the 2-on-2 contest and was a finalist in the 3-point shooting contest.

Auburn signed Heron, Harper and forward Anfernee McLemore last November in a class that is ranked 20th in the country by Rivals.com. All three are expected to enroll in Auburn at the end of May.