OAK BROOK, Ill. -- Since its origin in 1978, the McDonald's All American Game has premiered the top 24 boys high school basketball players in the nation and provided fans a glimpse of NCAA and NBA superstars of tomorrow. This year, the McDonald's All American Game celebrates 25 years of basketball excellence and begins another tradition with the introduction of a Girls Game.

Both the Girls and Boys Games will be played in New York City at the historic Madison Square Garden -- home of the NBA New York Knicks and the WNBA New York Liberty -- on April 4 at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.

"Bringing the 25th Anniversary of the McDonald's All American Game and the Inaugural Girls Game to Madison Square Garden demonstrates McDonald's commitment to New York City," said Pete Samaha, McDonald's restaurant owner and chairman of the 2002 All American Game. "The local McDonald's owners of New York City are looking forward to hosting these milestone McDonald's events."

Nearly 600 players have competed in the McDonald's All American Game, forming an elite list which reads like a "Who's Who" in men's basketball history. Former McDonald's All Americans include basketball standouts such as NBA stars Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Allan Houston, Grant Hill, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant, as well as current NCAA players Jason Williams (Duke), Nick Collison (Kansas), Casey Jacobsen (Stanford), Frank Williams (Illinois) and Luke Ridnour (Oregon). With the addition of the Girls Game, women's basketball awaits the same type of success.

"My experience as a McDonald's All American is one I'll never forget," said Kobe Bryant, current Los Angeles Lakers star and 1996 McDonald's All American. "Not only was I able to compete in my first nationally-televised game against some of the best talent in the country, but more importantly, I was able to give back to others through my visit to the Ronald McDonald House."

The Inaugural Girls Game offers players and fans the chance to witness history in the making as the first-ever team takes the court and the spotlight at Madison Square Garden. Since the first McDonald's All American Game for boys was played in Philadelphia in 1978, the Game has provided one of the only true national showcases for the best young players in the land to exhibit their talent.

"As players, and as people, we stand on the shoulders of those that came before us and worked so hard to make our dreams possible - and now McDonald's has become one of those that lead the way with their introduction of the Girls Game this year," said Teresa Weatherspoon, New York Liberty Team Captain and WNBA All-Star. "This Game is an historic event for women's sports and provides a great opportunity for young, female athletes to obtain exposure and experience on the national level."

The final 48 players (24 boys, 24 girls) were selected from a pool of more than 2,500 top high school boy and girl basketball players from across the country were nominated to the McDonald's All American Teams in January 2002. Morgan Wootten serves as chairman of the selection committee and legendary UCLA coach John Wooden, who has been involved in the McDonald's All American Game since its inception, serves as overall chairman of the Game and as an advisor to the selection committee.

"For these young athletes, it is quite an honor to be nominated, let alone selected to the McDonald's All American team," said Wooden. "McDonald's All Americans are role models and leaders to their peers, not only in basketball, but also in the game of life."

Net proceeds from the 2002 McDonald's All American Games will benefit Ronald McDonald House chapters of New York and New Jersey. Previous beneficiaries of McDonald's All American Games include Sickle Cell Anemia Research, the United Negro College Fund and many other local children's charities. More than $3 million has been raised since the game was first played in 1978.

In addition to the games, McDonald's All Americans participate in the Sprite Slam Jam, a slam-dunk and 3-point shootout competition on April 1 from 4-6 p.m. ET, which is scheduled to re-broadcast on ESPN Tuesday, April 2 from 7-8 p.m. ET.

Sega Sports is the presenting sponsor of the McDonald's All American Game. Other national sponsors include The Coca-Cola Company -- Powerade and Sprite, Reebok, Foot Locker, Champs Starburst and Geico. For more information on the McDonald's All American Game, please visit www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com or www.mcdonalds.com.