LeBron James dominates the McDonald’s All-American Game (2003) | ESPN Archive

günther is here in Cleveland, Ohio, the site of the 26th annual McDonald's Boys High School All-American

game

and this is one of four very special characters for LeBron James against the rest of the All-Americans here tonight. Hello everyone, Dan Schulman to Jay Bilas with You've seen him dominate so many times. Can he dominate against such good players? Well, I think he can't because he is so skilled and so physically advanced at this stage of his development that he has the ability to dominate at all. All-star

game

that is usually dominated by guards, but this is not the LeBron James Invitational.

There are 23 other Americans who stand out well, a lot of them stand out, but I would start with nd EB, who is headed to Arizona, a guy who is an outstanding athlete. can really run the floor and finish with authority at the basket Leon Powe headed to Cal six eight a monster rebounder perhaps the best point guard prospect here in this game is Chris Paul who is headed to Wake Forest and will team with Justin Gray and what could be an exceptional back to rot, we'll also tell you first about Western stars Aaron Brooks and Shannon and Brown off the board, Brown, an explosive Bie sire who J talked about a little earlier along with Leon Powe. and Kendrick Perkins up front 610 and 285 pounds for the east, of course, LeBron James, from the same street in Akron, he is front and center of attraction in tonight's game, Chris Paul, Michael Jones, who will go to Maryland.

Paul is going to Wake Forest. make up the board Charlie Villanueva is up front along with James Lang who weighs 305 pounds so we have almost 600 pounds of 18 year old sinners in tonight's game and you know Gary Williams likes to see his players start to defense, Chris towards the blind Jeeves, that didn't take long, the crowd was screaming and shouting already at James with that explosive jumping ability and one thing he can really do is run down the court infinitely, something Jones couldn't do in that Paul lob and we have a foul and we don't expect many of those who are here tonight early field goal percentage for the team led by LeBron James 66%, but that's something that these kids are going to learn with the help of the side defense: Phoebe didn't need to be guarding him so closely. when the balls on the opposite side of the court that we return are good for the West team by Leon Powe, it goes up to three a little hard for Shannon and Brown and the bounce is long and once the big guy gets it, it's over . finishing off the glass Villanueva was the subject of a heated recruiting battle ended up committing to Illinois although he hasn't signed yet is one of those Tim talked about both could make the jump in high school straight to the NBA still ahead of the clock the Clippers same neighborhood James to Villanueva and I haven't seen LeBron James is a pastor J almost as spectacular as a dunker that's what sets him apart he's an extraordinary pastor who sees the court and has the talent for it, so he makes the right play It's not supposed to be flashy, but there he sees Shannon Brown with the strength he has, he's really going to bring Tom Izzo along with Brandon Cotton Tom Izzo back to really put pressure on the defense and score from his defense generating Arman's look. in that past the no look at Villanueva high above the crowd the transition defense we will not talk now James with a little extra flair in his game will add the no look that we have seen with you between the legs pass on the counterattack behind the back, they bounce, they pass to a teammate for a OD dunk game that he likes, they put a little bit more bus in Toronto and protect him, we're trying to give you all the information we can on that zero. where some of these guys head back in from James, who picks up another attendee and sees a small part of the crowd on the second floor, maybe people from Akron, all dressed as San Francisco.

Saint Vincent Mary and he points the band on his way back to the court and now he has a steel, he abandons it selflessly and Michael Jones will finish with a jam assist now for James and I thought before the game that he would get ten. You could have ten by halftime, welcome back to the East at 12 and I'm here with LeBron James and a hot start. It sounds like you're having a lot of fun, but I thought you'd try to make as many baskets as you can. You're trying to get your teammates involved, explain to me your mindset, you know, you know, when your teammates get involved, we have a lot more fun because that's what I give, the best player on the court can give us the ball, You know, everyone.

You can have a little fun and try not to be selfish, we're just trying to play a team game. You know, fortunately we fulfill it now. A great week for you. You will win the state title. You have an exam on Monday. You come here on Tuesday. and wins the Wooden Award. What does the American McDonald's game mean to you, especially since it's your city? You know it means a lot to me. You also know and you know that doing all the difficult things, you know that the practices, the beginners, you know, the bigger, the greater the achievement. for me and for the city of Akron at Acura and I feel like they know that at any time they can give back to the kids.

We did it at the Ronald McDonald House and then at the Children's Hospital. I think it was great for all of us in this great experience. LeBron, who impressed you this week with his play. You have a couple of favorite players. Know. I think everyone you know was invited here for a reason. You know, for Player's Day on and off the field. I think everyone has impressed me. Many people try it. to compare you and put labels on who you are, I seem very nervous Johnson in your game and the way you approach things, can you talk to me about how you have become so selfless on the court and why passing is so important?

I think it's just a time for men to be selfish and you know, you know, the best news comes, who waits, sits there and relaxes, you know. I think your teammates. I tried that narrative working. LeBron, there's the wind right there. I want you to do it. go get it real soon okay back to you thank you very much and you know at some point tonight you will have everyone in this building on their feet with a spectacular play. Ambrose takes down three Leon Powe on the last trip with a dunk as the West closes within seven, but LeBron James J seems to have come out very relaxed but also focused on differentiating himself from these other great players.

I think as much as he knows all these guys, he's impressed, Baum, he wants to highlight a little bit here tonight too, there's no doubt that he has a competitive spirit and he knows that he's the best player and he wants to be the best player. . I think the key question is whether he will be the first pick in the NBA Draft. I don't think there's any reasonable doubt about whether he'll have the drive to be one of the best once he gets the big shoe contract, signs with his team and starts making all that money.

Will he continue to have the drive to improve to become next? Kobe Bryant or Kevin Iman I think we've still discussed it and they'll give us the things he needs to get better first. I think he needs to refine his jump shot. He is a guy who throws the ball accurately because of his strength and skill. to get up in the air lake strength of him, but I think he needs to refine it to where he has the ability to hit it with regularity and I think he can get it to throw a very good ball and throw it within range. with me range in the pass there Shannon Brown the end in the feed of Aaron Brooks Brooks a little strong in the three lavender has a man in each season the guys who need a hit here the referees this is the best for them well, they will they will be able conserve some breath because they won't have to put it on that whistle, there's defense here too, the long hit on the baseline jumper is the EB baseline or face pass, more like it's Shakur behind The defense again and the East make it look easy in transition right now, it really is a good opportunity for Mustapha next year.

Jason Gardner leaves the Wildcats in Arizona and Chris Rogers there will have the opportunity to step in and start with a very good team and I think. he has a good chance of doing it. He was the best player, the best guard that I saw on the ABCD campus last summer and he is very skilled and has the ability to see the court, so as a passer I think he will fit in very well. in Arizona they are too fancy there and he hands it off to EB who will show the scouts his ball handling skills at six and nine as he takes it all the way to deal with natural Bob Wafer.

Now they can do these things at the NBA level, it's the off-court things that are so difficult, dealing with money, which doesn't sound that difficult, but it's really all the pressure along the line. in the background and it's a good idea next time, just don't even look for your fingers. the runner-up to LeBron James in the dunk competition a couple of days ago on the left, former McDonald's Dewan Wagner American Jay Bilas tells us it's rapper Jay Seals, your son is a big Jay-Z fan , you told me before the game, Jay. z is one of the many talented players who have played in this game over the years and LeBron James is adding to his legacy here tonight and it has been his: mcCormick was hoping for a Vaughn-esque dunk fest tonight so that the last to go into action and a one-sided score that favors the east, the slam fest on Monday here in Cleveland and LeBron James, of course, guys, the prohibitive favorite if prohibitive means you put your head through the hoop, that's how you beat Ivana wafer.

I'm LeBron Ron or even King James, whatever you want. call two McDonald's, the Player of the Year guys, call him a winner. I think more than anything when he brings it is just a desire to win and a competitiveness that I love. The man who has been LeBron's mentor for the past four years remembers the first time. I saw a very young number 23. He was a nine-year-old boy who was about four inches taller than everyone who played point guard on a team. He couldn't dribble very well, but they named him point guard. He needs to back the people on the court. once he arrived at st.

Saint Vincent Mary High School LeBron evolved into not only a star player but also a team leader. I joined a team that already had a leader as the years went by. You know, I haven't seen that code. Let me say more and more. Now I look, the team looks at me and they say you're a leader and that leadership continues off the court too, where LeBron has a 3.5 GPA. I think the way he does everything, from the way you know he competes with his school work. from how he plays on the basketball court to how he plays a video game against his friends, he is tenacious, he just always wants to be the best and wants to win.

LeBron's creative talents aren't just limited to hardwood, he's an artist who can draw and who he loves. to draw and he, honestly, did a great job designing some of our uniforms, putting things together now his designs are in the McDonald's all-america game. You know the McDonald's game was another burning desire in my heart. You know I've seen it. All the great players have been through this and you know, from Darius Mouse, to Iowa, to me, now it's the Cleveland Cavaliers and Michael Jordan, other great players have been through this, you know, it's a great honor to follow in their footsteps, artist, student , Player of the year.

Everyone agrees that the oversized nine-year-old is on the verge of big things. I think he's just going to leave a legacy of this basketball because of his heart. We mention David Padgett. He has a sprained knee. Why isn't he in his college game? the wall gang and Oh Luther Matheny are the three injured players unfortunately they can't play look Ron James with the flip outlet let's go back to Tim McCormack waiting with another of the All-Americans Tim yes I'm here with Steven Spielberg oh wait no I'm Chris Paul and you carried your video camera all week, that must have been a lot of fun, yeah, it was fun.

I took the camera, like when we went to lunch, we went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, things like that I saw. like behind the scenes stuff, everyone doesn't like seeing Chris, you had a tragedy in your family this year, your grandfather was brutally murdered the day after you committed to Wake Forest, can you share with us what happened in the next game and your tribute? I scored 61 points, that's what my grandfather was like when he passed away, so everything I do now is practically a tribute to him. Sports 61 points, I threw the ball to the referee and walked down the court just five points shy of the state record.

It was a great tribute, what is it like playing with LeBron? Some of these other guys and guys answer you and skip Prosser, his coach next year said this guy is the truest of point guards. for the East, so precise, do you think Tom Izzo we'll put a little pass first halfway? What you do is jump to point guard next year. He would have to throw things away first or at least that has been the criticism. Ron James appreciates a good pass, this is a cloud that has happened, it's a lot of fun here, they are very interested in this, well, Kelvin Sampson has been wearing throughout the n-c-double-a tournament a crimson and cream tie, but your favorite color nextyear will be lavender.

Wow, that's extraordinary. be able to thread that needle now, luckily for Lavender, no one raised their hands on that corner jumper, it doesn't come home beyond shooting, the thing about Oakland heading to Cal next year is there for the rebound of the stick when I can. It won't be an easy job for these coaches, they want to try to make everyone happy, but they also want to win the game. This is where the fans in the 22nd delivery in the air creation of James I remember a couple of years ago the focused Bozeman was playing for the West and he was very frustratedJosh Childress because they barely played the second half, James and EP had a good Valley Center : strong and it's his time, right hand, what's wrong and there's a little bit that they wanted something more from King James, that's what you get when expectations are too high. a two-handed jam and no one, I mean, you could have done that, maybe I wanted Chris Paul to do it.

James now at 17. I'm trying to get past Lavender and getting close because of the block in the transmission of Paul just has an extraordinary ability to deliver the ball and what a finish when running away. Charlie Villanueva has been criticized throughout his career for not always bringing intensity, but when he ran down the lane he took that ball to score and knew he was going to see some contact yet end up. play the file on EB while we're in Cleveland, that's a little reminiscent of Larry Nance, maybe absolutely Jackie Butler, by the way, was the guy who came up with a blocked shot on the other end that started the e on that break. this is America's main introduction to what the future of college basketball is Jones is the guy rolling.

Impress me. I knew about that 2011 for James. By the way, it was James who hit the dog. Listen to the crowd. Buy a ticket next week. is what you're thinking 23 for James, he's upped his intensity a notch or three in the last two, he'll get it back. With a player like Chris Paul, you can quit knowing you'll get him back. If anyone wants to finalize their MVP voting, let's put this aside. I want to submit my request to the LeBron James fan club challenging Jackie Butler Jay. We've heard the comparisons to Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant.

Michael Jordan in high school, but the big difference is that LeBron James is the size of a man. I don't think he can get any bigger or stronger. Do you think that baby impedes some of his development? He's the size of a man playing against kids right now. Yes, that could be it, I think. Although the real question is what drive he doesn't have, will he continue to strive to be the best player when he gets to the next level? And I think when you have that much height and that much praise coming your way, sometimes it's easy to get complacent.

I don't feel like that's going to happen with LeBron James. I think he really wants to be great, but really great ones stand the test of time. It's not about potential or what you do in the early years, but what you do over the years. It remains to be seen if he has that kind of drive, don't you look at Michael Jordan how he evolved? He learned for the first time that he takes between his legs to a new level. Wow and John Wooden always said never take it between your legs and James is snow surprised the John Wooden award win over tonight's game MVP 27 points 6 rebounds 7 assists leading the East to victory in front of a very professional crowd LeBron is so close to being accurate that he continues to live up to his expectations every time he stepped on the court all season long, well teams were doing everything they could against him, he consistently responded to the bell.

Chris Paul with three good nights for him, mostly dishing out nine assists here tonight the unselfishness of him, the leadership of him clearly the best point guard here Gittens. We're going to object for two easy ones and the East could get one more basket up the middle. I'm going to tell it, yeah, what the hell did they say? There will be no video review on that basket when Shakur finishes off the score and the East defeats the West. here tonight led by the MVP of this game in the best high school player in the country this year and in all likelihood, of course, the number one pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, LeBron James with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 7 Assists here tonight and McDonald's all-American game, quite an impressive performance and again some smiling sparklers.

I mean, he came here focused on playing well, J, but he also realized that this is a show and, like you said tonight, he's a showman and he wants to perform with all his might. And I think one of the things that was most impressive wasn't necessarily the way he played, because I think we expected that from LeBron James, but I think the way his teammates and opposing players reacted to him, to the guys. They clearly liked playing with him. There wasn't even a hint of jealousy to them and I think you can see by the way he played that he really struggled against that kind of Foster team atmosphere and if you had never heard of any of these players and came here to watch the game , would you come out and say that he was clearly the best player on the court without a doubt?

I think he is without being disrespectful to the other players. He's a man among boys and you're seeing a lot of players here who are going to not only be standout college players but also have the opportunity to play in the NBA and James is a guy who stands out among them Tim McCormack next to MVP LeBron James LeBron you absolutely exceeded all expectations out of this world 27 points 7 rebounds 7 assists huge numbers, what does a dream event like this as MVP mean for the top? You know, first of all, I would like to say hello to my father, you know that, and secondly, you forgot, you know, without God it is God. -Given the talent it would not have been possible tonight and you know, it has been a wonderful couple of days for us.

You know, visiting Ronald McDonald Houses and visiting an entire hospital. It's a great way to end it. LeBron saw you coming. I would have expected you to come out and have a plan to be MVP, but you really shared the ball and showed selflessness. You know, I shared the bar earlier, which made my teammates feel comfortable in the game and got me on the court early in the West. The team started to come back and you know, my teammates told me to take charge a little more and not be dead in the second half, then we came out with a key LeBron number one draft pick, without a doubt, you want a state championship.

Camp this, when can we expect an announcement on when you will announce your intentions for next year's spinners last night with teammates and women of the game McDonald? There's really no telling when I'm going to make my decision, can you give me one? Lasting impression of your experience with McDonald's American game. You know it is a great experience that you will never forget. We did so many things it's hard to say how many we did, but you better never forget the experience for us as men and women. at a McDonald's game thanks for watching ESPN on YouTube for live sports and premium content subscribe to ESPN Plus