LeBron James was content to simply be a high school All-Star last night.

The 18-year-old high school senior, an almost-certain No. 1 pick in this summer's NBA draft, scored 27 points in leading the East to a 122-107 victory over the West in the 26th annual McDonald's All-American high school basketball game.

High school seniors Ndubi Ebi and Mustafa Shakur, both of whom have signed to play for Arizona starting in the fall, each started the game, with each making their own mark on the stat sheet while in limited playing time.

Ebi, ranked No. 5 among the nations high school seniors by ESPN.com and as high as No. 2 by some outlets behind only James, started for the West, scoring 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting while grabbing five rebounds.

Shakur, who follows Ebi in ESPN.com's rankings at No. 6, started for the East, scored nine points on 4-of-9 shooting.

"I'm not even thinking about the next All-Star Game," he said with a smile, when asked if he were already preparing for the NBA. "I'm just trying to have fun with my teammates and enjoy this latest victory."

James ÷ who didn't hit a shot outside five feet ÷ added seven rebounds and seven assists. He received a standing ovation as he received the MVP trophy from former UCLA coach John Wooden.

Many of the record crowd of 18,728 at Gund Arena came from James' hometown of Akron, about 40 miles away. James led St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School to three state championships in his four years ÷ along the way becoming the only three-time winner of the state's Mr. Basketball award.

It was a fitting send-off.

Asked if he had decided what he would do next, James said, "I really don't know. God will lead me in the best direction and I will follow his footsteps. Who knows where I may be? I just take one step by one step because you're not promised tomorrow."

James was playing his first game since his freshman season with the No. 32 instead of his customary 23. Michael Jordan's jersey was retired by the McDonald's game after he scored 30 points in the 1981 contest.

The marketing possibilities had already crossed James' mind.

"I might have two sets of jerseys ÷ one night I might wear 23 and the next night I might wear 32," he said with a laugh.

The attendance broke the McDonald's record set three years ago at FleetCenter in Boston.