Biography of LeBron James | Facts, Personal Life, Net Worth
Profile Summary
- Name: Lebron James
- Date of Birth: December 30, 1984
- Citizenship: American
- Ethnicity: Black
- Place of Birth: Akron, Ohio, USA
LeBron James is considered one of the greatest players in the National Basketball Association. He is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Table of Contents
Biography of LeBron James | Early Life
LeBron Raymone James Sr. was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. His mother, Gloria Marie, was 16 when she had him; Anthony McClelland had an extensive criminal record.
Hence he wasn’t involved in James’s life. Growing up, life wasn’t rosy for James and his mother Gloria; they often struggled, moving from one speedier neighborhood in Akron to another while Gloria struggled to find a steady job.
Finally, after much consideration, Gloria realized that her son would be better off with a more stable family.
It led to James moving in with the Frank Walker family. Frank introduced James to basketball at the age of nine.
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In fifth grade, James had begun playing organized basketball, and he later went ahead to play Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars.
His team led by himself, and his friends, Dru Joyce III, Sian Cotton, and Willie McGee, enjoyed local and national success.
The friends termed themselves the “Fab Four” and promised to attend the same high school. James, alongside his friends, attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, a private Catholic school.
Before starting his junior year, James was featured in an American basketball magazine known as “Slam,” where he was described as “the best high school basketball player in America.”
He also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as the first high school basketball underclassman to do so.
He was named Ohio Mr. Basketball with an average of 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 29 points, and 3.3 steals per game.
In addition, James was selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team and named male basketball Gatorade National Player.
During the four years he spent in high school, James scored 2,657 points, 892 rebounds, and 523 assists.
Words of his advanced basketball skills soon spread, with James receiving several honors and recognition for his performance.
Biography of LeBron James | Career
LeBron James became the first player picked in the 2003 NBA Draft straight out of high school.
James decided to skip college and joined the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, which led to his basketball career of today.
The then-struggling franchise soon rose to its feet. In his first regular-season game, James made an NBA record for most points scored by a prep-to-pro player in his debut, 25 points against Sacramento Kings.
At the end of the season, he became the first Cavalier to receive The NBA Rookie of the year award.
In 2006, he led the East to victory in the All-Star Game with 29 points. James was named the NBA All-Stars Game’s most valuable player.
He finished second, At the end of the season, in overall NBA’s most valuable player.
The Cavaliers qualified for playoffs for the first time in 2006 since 1998, under his leadership.
In February 2007-08 seasons, James was named All-Star Game MVP for the second time with 27-points, 8-rebound, and 9-assist performance.
On July 1, 2010, he became an unrestricted free agent. He was contacted by several teams but decided to sign up with the “Heat.”
His decision was influenced by fellow free agents Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, who had earlier announced their intention to sign up with “Miami Heat.”
James thought an improved teammate, will give him better chances of winning an NBA championship.
However, he opted out of his contract with the Heat and became a free agent again on June 25, 2014.
He announced his intention to return to Cleveland. James signed up with the team officially on July 29, and In 2018, he opted out of his contract again and became an unrestricted free agent.
This time, his manager announced that he would be signed with Los Angeles Lakers.
At 35 years, James became the second-oldest player in league history to win the award and the only player in NBA history to win prizes with three different franchises. Also, he is the third player in NBA history to win at least one championship while in another team.
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What is LeBron James’s Net Worth?
In 2003, LeBron James signed an endorsement deal with Nike for $90 million.
This deal could net him over $1 billion over his lifetime. Top media outlets estimate his current net worth to be $88.7 million, making him one of the highest-earning players.
Biography of LeBron James | Personal Life
LeBron James got married in 2013 to his high school sweetheart Savannah Brinson. On September 14, 2013, they tied the knot in a private ceremony in San Diego, with about 200 guests.
The couple share three kids together, two sons, “LeBron Jr.,” “Bryce Maximus James,” and a daughter, “Zhuri James.”
Interesting Facts
LeBron James, outside NBA, created a foundation known as the ” LeBron James Family Foundation. It was established in 2004, in other to help singles parent in need.