AKRON, Ohio -- LeBron James handed out his own special gift Tuesday night, thanking publicly a 9-year-old boy who has become an inspiration to him.

As state officials investigated a new Hummer H2 he reportedly got as an 18th birthday present bought by his mother, James scored a school record 50 points Tuesday night to lead No. 1 St. Vincent-St. Mary to a 92-56 victory over Mentor.

James, regarded as the nation's top high school player and probable No. 1 pick in the NBA draft this year, had 11 3-pointers, nine rebounds and four blocks in less than 25 minutes.

James said his performance was inspired by 9-year-old Davonte Greer, a fourth-grader from Akron whose sister and two cousins were killed in a fire Jan. 1.

''He's my little guy,'' James said of Greer, who attended the postgame news conference.

Wearing a LeBron James T-shirt, Greer sat on Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary's sideline throughout the game. When James was introduced to a standing-room-only crowd of 6,000 before tipoff, he brought Greer with him through the team's huddle and out to center court.

Greer just smiled shyly when asked by reporters about the experience and what he thought of his idol's 50-point night.

''He's cool, like I'm cool,'' James said. ''If he wants to come to any more games, he can do the same thing. I got a new little man on my side.''