LeBron JamesBirth Place: Akron, Ohio, USA Date of Birth: 1984/12/30 Heritage: American Contact LeBron James | 
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King James Background: “Y'all got me famous, but you know, I make myself famous out there. I worked hard. I put in every hour to get myself better.” LeBron James A star guard for the NBA's (National Basketball Association) Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, commonly nicknamed "King James," was a high school phenomenon and named Ohio's "Mr. Basketball" three times. He skipped college to join the NBA in 2003, the same year he signed a $90 million endorsement deal with Phil Knight's Nike shoe company. He was the NBA Rookie of the Year (2004) and was four-time All NBA (First Team: 2006, 2008 and Second Team: 2005, 2007). He joined the NBA All-Star in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, and was NBA’s All-Star Game MVP in 2006 and 2008. He became NBA’s Scoring Champion in 2008. The 6' 8" basketball superstar, who wears uniform number 23, helped the Cavaliers make their first playoff appearance since 1998, in 2006. He has signed a three-year contract extension worth $60 million that would keep him with the Cavaliers through the 2009-2010 season. Meanwhile, alongside Team USA, James won the bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, the bronze medal at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, the gold medal at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, and the gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. “Once you become a professional athlete or once you do anything well, then you're automatically a role model. I have no problem being a role model. I love it. I have kids looking up to me and hopefully I inspire these kids to do good things.” LeBron James On Forbes' 2006 “Richest Young Celebrities List,” it was reported that James earned $22.5 million in 2005. He was the top earner on the list at age 21. In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his earnings for the year to be $27 million. “I don't need too much. Glamour and all that stuff don't excite me. I am just glad I have the game of basketball in my life.” LeBron James
Childhood and Family: “My mom and I have always been there for each other. We had some tough times, but she was always there for me.” LeBron James An only child, LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. Growing up without a father, young LeBron and his mother, Gloria, were always on the move because of financial troubles. LeBron refers to his mother as the most significant person in his life and later had her name tattooed on his biceps. LeBron attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, where he was named First-Team All-State as a wide receiver in football during his sophomore year and led his team to the state semifinals in his junior year. He was the first sophomore to be named Ohio's "Mr. Basketball" and also became the first sophomore player ever selected to the USA Today “All-USA First Team.” LeBron was also an avid football player and was named First-Team All-State as a wide receiver. LeBron has two sons with his fiancée, high school sweetheart Savannah Brinson. Their first son, Lebron James Jr., was born on October 6, 2004, and their second son, Bryce Maximus James, was born on June 14, 2007. “Sometimes in the past when I played something might make me lose focus, or I would go home after a game where I thought I could have played better and I would let it hang over my head for a long time when it shouldn't. But now, being a parent, I go home and see my son and I forget about any mistake I ever made or the reason I'm upset. I get home and my son is smiling or he comes running to me. It has just made me grow as an individual and grow as a man.” LeBron James
Career: “A lot of players know how to play the game, but they really don’t know how to play the game, if you know what I mean. They can put the ball in the hoop, but I see things before they even happen. You know how a guy can make his team so much better? That’s one thing I learned from watching Jordan.” LeBron James Holding a basketball for the first time at age 9, LeBron James was coached by Dru Joyce II to an amateur national championship at the age of 14. During his sophomore year at high school, he was named First-Team All-State as a wide receiver in football. In his junior year, he led his team to the state semifinals, earned a spot on the All-USA First Team, and was named the 2001–02 boys' basketball Gatorade National Player of the Year. During this time, he received the nickname "King James" and appeared in SLAM Magazine, as well as on the covers of Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. “I've always been a leader. I've always kind of been the tallest person on the team when I was younger but always kind of the smartest. I was ahead of my time. I wasn't always the oldest. I kind of was the youngest on the team, but I kind of knew what to do at times.” LeBron James In his senior year in high school, James was inducted into the All-USA First Team and earned MVP honors at the McDonald's All-American Game, the EA Sports Roundball Classic, and the Jordan Capital Classic. Before graduation, he also scored a multi-million deal with Nike and Upper Deck. “Me and Nike came up with the concept. We just ran with it, man. It was awesome. It took me about a week to do it. I was putting on different costumes. We hit everyone; the older generation, the younger generation, the ‘Me’ generation.” LeBron James 2003 saw James began his professional career with NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. James, who became the youngest player in league history to score at least 40 points in a game, was named 2003-04 NBA Rookie of the Year, joining Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan as the only three players in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in their rookie season. He also became the first Cavalier and youngest NBA player to ever receive the award. “There's no reason to play in the NBA if you don't believe you can win it all.” LeBron James James was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game in the 2004–05 season and made his second All-Star Game appearance in the 2005–06 season. Meanwhile, he was also a part of Team USA at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, who took home a bronze medal. He also appeared in a TV commercial for Spite and Powerade. James helped the Cavaliers defeat the Wizards in his playoff debut in 2006. Although James and the Cavaliers lost to the defending Eastern Conference champions and divisional rival Detroit Pistons, his contract was extended for three more years. “If I didn't believe in this team and this organization and the direction that we're headed, I wouldn't have signed the extension.” LeBron James Meanwhile, James competed in the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan and the team was awarded the bronze medal. Alongside Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, he was also named one of three captains for the 2006 USA Men's World Championship team. “There is a lot of pressure put on me, but I don't put a lot of pressure on myself. I feel if I play my game, it will take care of itself.” LeBron James James was signed to his third consecutive All-Star game appearance during the 2006–07 season and led the Cavaliers to their first sweep in franchise history over the Washington Wizards in the first round of the 2007 NBA Playoffs. After leading his team to defeat the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, James eventually brought the Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals, but they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in four games. That year, James also co-hosted the ESPY Awards with funnyman Jimmy Kimmel. In the 2007–08 season, James appeared in his fourth consecutive All-Star Game. He was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January 2008 and won the 2008 All-Star Game MVP. He was named NBA's Eastern Conference Player of the Week in February 2008 and was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February 2008 in March that year. Afterward, he appeared on the cover of Vogue with supermodel Gisele Bundchen, becoming the first African-American man to appear on the cover of the coveted magazine. Recently, James and the rest of Team USA reclaimed the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics after defeating Spain 118 to 107. “It puts a smile on my face to be compared to a legend. Year by year, as you play basketball, you've got to know the history of the game.” LeBron James
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