LeBron James Bio
LeBron Raymone James Sr. is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed “King James”, he is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and has won four NBA championships from ten NBA Finals appearances. He also won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023 with the Lakers and has won three Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. national team. James is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In addition to ranking fourth in NBA career assists and sixth in NBA career steals, James holds several individual honors, including four NBA MVP awards, four Finals MVP awards, the Rookie of the Year award, three All-Star Game MVP awards, the inaugural NBA Cup MVP, and the Olympics MVP in the 2024 Summer Olympics. A record 21-time All-Star and 21-time All-NBA selection (including a record 13 First Team selections), he has also made six All-Defensive Teams. The oldest active player in the NBA, he holds the record for the most NBA seasons played with 23 as well as playing the most minutes in league history.
Early Life and Background
LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, at Cleveland Clinic Akron General in Akron, Ohio, to Gloria Marie James, who was only 16 at the time of his birth. His father, Anthony McClelland, has an extensive criminal record and was not involved in his life. Growing up, life was often a struggle for the family, as they moved from apartment to apartment in the more run-down neighborhoods of Akron while Gloria struggled to find steady work. Realizing that her son would be better off in a more stable family environment, Gloria allowed him to move in with the family of Frank Walker, a local youth football coach who introduced James to basketball when he was nine years old. James began playing organized basketball in the fifth grade and later played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars. The team enjoyed success on a local and national level, led by James and his friends Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, and Willie McGee. The group dubbed themselves the “Fab Four” and promised each other that they would attend high school together.
Path to Basketball
In a move that stirred local controversy, they chose to attend St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, a private Catholic school with predominantly white students. As a freshman, James averaged 18 points and 6.2 rebounds per game for the St. Vincent–St. Mary varsity basketball team. The Fighting Irish went 27–0 en route to the Division III state title, making them the only boys high school team in Ohio to finish the season undefeated. As a sophomore, James averaged 25.3 points and 7.4 rebounds, along with 5.5 assists and 3.7 steals per game. For some home games during the season, St. Vincent–St. Mary played at the University of Akron’s Rhodes Arena to satisfy ticket demand from alumni, fans, as well as college and NBA scouts who wanted to see James play. The Fighting Irish finished the season 26–1 and repeated as state champions. For his outstanding play, James was named Ohio Mr. Basketball and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team, becoming the first sophomore to do either. In 2001, during the summer before his junior year, James was the subject of a feature article in Slam magazine, which lauded him as possibly the best high school basketball player in America. During the season, James also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, becoming the first high school basketball underclassman to do so. With averages of 28 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals per game, he was again named Ohio Mr. Basketball and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team, and became the first junior to be named male basketball Gatorade National Player of the Year. St. Vincent–St. Mary finished the year with a 23–4 record, ending their season with a loss in the Division II championship game. Following the loss, James unsuccessfully petitioned for a change to the NBA’s draft eligibility rules in an attempt to enter the 2002 NBA draft.
LeBron James Career
Early Career (2003–2010)
The Cleveland Cavaliers selected James as the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA draft. James chose the jersey number 23 in honor of Michael Jordan. In his first regular season game, James scored 25 points in a 106–92 loss to the Sacramento Kings, setting an NBA record for the most points scored by a prep-to-pro player in his debut performance. At the conclusion of the 2003–2004 season, James became the first Cavalier to receive the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, and only the third player in league history to average at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game as a rookie. Cleveland finished the season 35–47, failing to make the playoffs despite an 18-game improvement over the previous year. In the 2004–05 season, James earned his first NBA All-Star Game selection, contributing 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in a winning effort for the Eastern Conference. Around the league, teams took note of his rapid development, and in March 2005, James scored 56 points against the Toronto Raptors, setting Cleveland’s new single-game points record. At the end of the season, James was named to his first All-NBA Team. Despite a 30–20 record to start the year, the Cavaliers again failed to make the playoffs, finishing the season 42–40.
Breakthrough (2010–2014)
James became an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2010. During this time, he was contacted by several teams, including the Bulls, Miami Heat, and New Jersey Nets. On July 8, James announced on a live ESPN special titled The Decision that he would sign with the Heat. The telecast raised $2.5 million for charity. James officially signed a 6-year, $110 million contract with the Heat on July 10, 2010. Throughout the 2010–11 season, the media and opposing fanbases treated James and the Heat as villains. The Heat eventually advanced to the Finals, where they lost to the Dallas Mavericks in six games. James received the brunt of the criticism for the loss, averaging only three points in fourth quarters in the series. The 2011–2012 season was delayed by a lockout, and during that extended summer, James worked with Hakeem Olajuwon to improve his post-up game. Behind his expanded skillset, Miami began the year with a franchise-best 18–6 record. James was eventually named MVP for the third time. In the playoffs, Miami won their second-ever championship and James’ first championship, with James being unanimously voted the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
Notable Works and Milestones
James has been named to 21 All-NBA Teams, including 13 times to the First Team, which are both NBA records. His four MVP awards are matched only by Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and Bill Russell. James and Russell are the only players to win four MVP awards in a five-year span. James has also won four Finals MVP Awards, which is the second-most all-time.
LeBron James Award Nominations
Throughout his career, LeBron James has received numerous award nominations, including multiple NBA MVP and All-Star selections, underscoring his impact on the game and his status as one of the greatest players in basketball history.
LeBron James Awards Won
LeBron James has won four NBA championships, four NBA Most Valuable Player awards, and four NBA Finals MVP awards, among many other accolades, solidifying his legacy in the sport.
LeBron James Family
LeBron James is married to Savannah James, and they have three children: two sons, Bronny and Bryce, and a daughter, Zhuri.
Personal Life
LeBron James is known for his philanthropy and community involvement, particularly through the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has opened an elementary school and other initiatives in Akron, Ohio.