Kristian Ferrell
LeBron Raymone James, born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, is an American professional basketball player. James, nicknamed King James, is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was introduced to basketball at the age of nine by Frank Walker, a local youth football coach. James went on to become a locally known basketball prodigy while in elementary school and led Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary High School to three state championships in four years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 30 December 1984 |
| Place of birth | Akron, Ohio, US |
| Family | Mother: Gloria Marie James; Father: Anthony McClelland |
| Childhood | Moved from apartment to apartment in the seedier neighbourhoods of Akron |
| Introduction to basketball | Introduced by Frank Walker, a local youth football coach, when he was nine years old |
| High school | St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, Akron, Ohio |
| High school achievements | Led St. Vincent–St. Mary High School to three Ohio state championships in four years; Named Ohio’s Mr. Basketball (high-school player of the year) three times during 2001–03 |
| College | N/A |
| Draft | Selected first overall in the 2003 National Basketball Association draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers |
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What You'll Learn
- LeBron James was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1984
- He was introduced to basketball at the age of nine by Frank Walker
- In high school, he was a three-time Ohio's Mr. Basketball
- James was selected first overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers
- He has since played for the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cavaliers again
LeBron James was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1984
LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, US, to Gloria Marie James, who was only 16 at the time. James Sr.'s father, Anthony McClelland, had an extensive criminal record and was not a part of his life. As a result, the family often struggled, moving from apartment to apartment in the less desirable areas of Akron while Gloria tried to find steady employment.
Realizing that her son would benefit from more stability, Gloria allowed him to move in with the family of Frank Walker, a local youth football coach. It was Walker who introduced nine-year-old LeBron to basketball. From there, James became a locally known basketball prodigy while in elementary school. He led Akron's St. Vincent–St. Mary High School to three state championships in four years and was named Ohio's Mr. Basketball (the state's high-school player of the year) three times during 2001–03.
James was selected first overall in the 2003 National Basketball Association draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has since become an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA and is widely considered one of the greatest all-around basketball players of all time.
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He was introduced to basketball at the age of nine by Frank Walker
LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, to Gloria Marie James, who was only 16 at the time of his birth. His father, Anthony McClelland, was not involved in his life and had an extensive criminal record. As a result, James had a challenging childhood, moving from apartment to apartment in the seedier neighborhoods of Akron while his mother struggled to find steady work.
Realizing that her son would benefit from a more stable family environment, Gloria allowed him to move in with the family of Frank Walker, a local youth football coach, when he was nine years old. This is how James was introduced to basketball. Walker's influence on the young James was significant, and it was during this time that he developed a passion for the sport that would eventually make him a household name.
Under Walker's guidance, James began to nurture his talent for basketball. By the time he reached elementary school, he had already become a locally known basketball prodigy. James continued to excel in the sport throughout his school years, leading Akron's St. Vincent–St. Mary High School to three state championships in four years. His remarkable skills on the court earned him the title of Ohio's Mr. Basketball, an honor bestowed upon him three times during his high school career from 2001 to 2003.
James' dedication and natural ability paved the way for a successful career in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected first overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, marking the beginning of his remarkable professional journey. The rest, as they say, is history.
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In high school, he was a three-time Ohio's Mr. Basketball
LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. He was introduced to basketball at the age of nine by Frank Walker, a local youth football coach. James played AAU basketball with several of his best friends, all of whom ended up playing at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, a predominantly white private Catholic school.
James and his friends decided to attend St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, where he quickly became a basketball sensation. As a freshman, he averaged 21 points and 6 rebounds per game, leading his team to a 27-0 record and a Division III state title. In his sophomore year, he averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 3.8 steals per game, helping his team achieve a 26-1 record and win back-to-back state titles. During his junior year, James continued to excel, averaging 29 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 3.3 steals. He became the first junior basketball player to win Gatorade National Player of the Year and graced the covers of SLAM Magazine and Sports Illustrated.
In his senior year, St. Vincent-St. Mary travelled around the country to play nationally ranked teams, and their games were televised as often as possible. James averaged an impressive 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game. For three consecutive years, from 2001 to 2003, he was named Ohio's Mr. Basketball, the state's high school player of the year. During his high school career, James led St. Vincent-St. Mary High School to three state championships in four years.
Coming out of high school, James was highly sought-after, with Nike, Reebok, and Adidas engaging in a bidding war for the basketball prodigy. Ultimately, he signed a seven-year, $90 million deal with Nike in May 2003. James' high school years were also documented in the 2009 Lionsgate film "More Than a Game," produced by his own production company, SpringHill Entertainment.
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James was selected first overall in the 2003 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron Raymone James, born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, is an American professional basketball player. James is widely considered one of the greatest all-around basketball players of all time.
James was introduced to basketball at the age of nine by Frank Walker, a local youth football coach. He soon became a locally known basketball prodigy while in elementary school. James led Akron’s St. Vincent–St. Mary High School to three state championships in four years. He was named Ohio’s Mr. Basketball—the high-school player of the year—three times during 2001–03.
James was just 18 years old when the Cavaliers selected him, making him one of the NBA's youngest players at the time of his selection. He was the second high schooler to be drafted at #1, after Kwame Brown in 2001. James was viewed as a generational talent, which made him a shoo-in as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.
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He has since played for the Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, and Cavaliers again
After leaving the Cavaliers in 2010, LeBron James joined the Miami Heat as a free agent. James won his first two NBA championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, earning MVP and Finals MVP honours both years. During his time with the Heat, James was ranked among the top three defenders in the NBA by general managers, earning the vote as the best perimeter defender in the league preceding the 2014-15 NBA season.
In 2018, James opted out of his contract with the Cavaliers and became an unrestricted free agent. He then signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, with the deal being officially completed on July 9, 2018. Nicknamed "King James", he is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and has won four NBA championships from 10 NBA Finals appearances. James has also made eight consecutive appearances between 2011 and 2018, and won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023 with the Lakers.
In 2016, James signed with the Cavaliers again on a three-year deal, becoming the highest-paid player in the league for the first time in his career. During his second stint in Cleveland, James' defence progressively declined. However, he still led the Cavaliers to another Finals rematch with the Golden State Warriors, with memorable moments including a game-winning shot against the Pacers and another against the Raptors, after which a new nickname, "LeBronto" was popularized.
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Frequently asked questions
LeBron James was introduced to basketball at the age of nine by his local football coach, Frank Walker, with whom he was living at the time. He began playing organised basketball in the fifth grade and quickly became a star player in his local leagues.
James developed his skills through regular practices and games, where he honed his abilities in ball handling, passing, and scoring. He also participated in prestigious summer basketball camps, which exposed him to superior coaching and advanced training methods, and played a crucial role in shaping him as a young athlete.
Yes, LeBron James played basketball at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. He led the school to three state championships and was named Ohio's Mr. Basketball three times. He was also selected to play for USA Today's All-USA First Team as a sophomore.
