LeBron Raymone James Sr. is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association or NBA. He has earned the nickname "King James" due to his incredible skill on the court, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Many fans and analysts alike often compare him to Michael Jordan when discussing the greatest basketball player in history.
James was born in Akron, Ohio, on December 30, 1984. His mother, Gloria Marie James, was 16 years old at the time of his birth, and his father, Anthony McClelland, was not involved in his life due to his extensive criminal record. Growing up was a challenge for the family, as they frequently moved from apartment to apartment in Akron's less affluent neighborhoods while Gloria struggled to secure employment. Recognizing that her son would benefit from a more stable family environment, Gloria allowed him to move in with Frank Walker's family. Frank, a local youth football coach, would introduce James to basketball at the age of nine.
As a freshman standing at 6 feet and 2 inches tall, James had an average of 21 points and 6 rebounds per game for the St. Vincent-St. Mary varsity basketball team, leading them to a 27-0 record and the Division III state title - the only boys high school team in Ohio to finish the season undefeated. During his sophomore year, James continued to excel, with an average of 25.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, in addition to 5.8 assists and 3.8 steals. To accommodate the high demand for tickets from alumni, fans, and college NBA scouts who wanted to see James play, some of St. Vincent-St. Mary's home games were played at the University of Akron's 5,492-seat Rhodes Arena. James was recognized for his exceptional performance, receiving the title of Ohio Mr. Basketball, and was selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team - making him the first sophomore to achieve either honor.
James was drafted as the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA draft by his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. He set an NBA record for most points scored by a prep-to-pro player in his debut performance, scoring 25 points against the Sacramento Kings in his first regular season game. At the end of the 2003-2004 season, he became the first Cavalier to be awarded the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He finished the season with an average of 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game, becoming only the third player in league history to achieve at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game as a rookie. Despite Cleveland's 18-game improvement over the previous year, the team finished the season 35-47, failing to make the playoffs.
James married his high school sweetheart, Savannah James, in San Diego, California on September 14, 2013. Together, they have three children: two sons, Bronny and Bryce, and a daughter named Zhuri. James prioritizes his health, investing heavily in personal chefs, athletic trainers, and physical therapies for recovery, spending roughly $1.5 million a year. His exercise regimen and dietary habits are sometimes considered atypical for a top athlete. According to Tristan Thompson, James eats desserts with every meal, and Kyle Korver says that James's fitness routine is unparalleled. James drinks wine every night, believing it to be good for his heart.
On August 18, 2022, James signed a two-year, $97.1 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers, making him the highest-paid athlete in NBA history with all-time earnings of $528.9 million, surpassing Kevin Durant. Currently, only two NBA players have a net worth in the billion-dollar range - Michael Jordan, with a net worth of $2 billion, and LeBron James, with a net worth of $1 billion.
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