CHICAGO, IL - March 31, 2003 - LeBron James hit a game-winning 7-foot jumper with 25.2 seconds remaining to lead the West All-Stars to a 120-119 comeback victory over the East in front of a record-setting crowd at the 39th EA SPORTS Roundball Classic.

The bucket capped an electrifying evening at the United Center and a memorable weekend for the 23 EA SPORTS All-Americans, a collection of the finest prep basketball players in the country, who traveled from all across the States to participate in the nation?s oldest high school all-star hoops game.

After the East and West teams played to a 94-94 tie through the game?s first three quarters, James took over in the fourth. After 29 lead changes, 16 ties and too many jaw-dropping dunks to count, James stepped up to score seven points down the stretch, helping the West close the game on a 16-5 run for the victory.
Download the complete Box Score here (Adobe Acrobat Reader Required.)

?The first three quarters you have fun,? said James, who finished with a game-high 28 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists. ?In the fourth quarter, it?s time to put away the smile and get down to business.?

The game was a balance of highlight-reel dunks, dazzling assists (East point guard Mustafa Shakur notched 12, two shy of the Roundball record of 14) and balanced scoring (12 players finished in double figures). Charlie Villanueva even added a half-court, first-half buzzer-beater to spice things up.

James earned MVP honors for the West team, while East MVP honors went to Shakur, who earned plenty of oohs and aahs of his own from the 19,678 fans in attendance -- the most spectators ever to watch a high school basketball game in the state of Illinois.

?It feels real good to be a part of such a big game with so many great players from around the country,? Shakur said. ?We?ve been treated so well all weekend, and it?s been a lot of fun.?

For Shakur and his fellow EA SPORTS All-Americans, the weekend was filled with lasting memories. From getting to know and spend time with their fellow all-stars, to hearing Chicago Bulls legend Bob Love speak at a Sunday night banquet, and competing in the EA SPORTS Video Game Tournament Saturday evening, the weekend was not one they are soon to forget.

?You can?t ask for anything more than being with EA SPORTS and adidas for an experience like this. This has been awesome,? said Brian Butch, who scored 10 points for the West and will play for the Wisconsin Badgers next year. ?To be an EA SPORTS All-American is a big honor. Not many kids make it here. EA SPORTS and adidas have really taken care of us and our families and made this a great experience.?

Here?s what some of the other EA SPORTS All-Americans said about the weekend:

Aaron Brooks:   ?It?s a great experience being here with these guys and all the stuff that has been done for us is incredible. The food, the video games, the people, it?s all just been an incredible experience. Being an EA SPORTS All-American is a great honor. Being in this game is as good as it gets when you?re in high school. I just feel lucky to be a part of it.?

Trevor Ariza:   ?This means a lot to me. There a lot of high school players who didn?t get this chance. Being an EA SPORTS All-American is one of the biggest honors in America for a high school player. This has been a great experience. The best part of the weekend other than the game tonight was the video game tournament. I made it to the semifinals but Chris Taft knocked me out. NBA STREET Vol. 2 is a great new game.?

Charlie Villanueva:   ?This is a top honor to be here and to be an EA SPORTS All-American. I?m getting to spend the weekend in Chicago with the top players in the country. We?re from all over the place, but here it?s like one big family.?

Dameon Mason:   ?This is a great accomplishment for a high school player. I?m proud of myself and proud of everyone here. This is a blessing to be here. I?m very excited and having the time of my life.?

Leon Powe:   ?It?s an honor for me to be an EA SPORTS All-American. There are not too many people who get this chance. There are a lot of seniors around the country who want to be here, but only a few of us who get this opportunity. It?s a great all-around weekend here in Chicago.