We all know LeBron James as a famous professional basketball player. But, we do not know how he survived a difficult childhood. Yet, his struggles were not a hindrance to his tremendous success in life. Most basketball enthusiasts praise him for his versatility and thrill in his play.
| Full Name | LeBron Raymone James |
| Birthday | December 30, 1984 |
| Birthplace | Akron, Ohio, United States of America |
| Age | 35 |
| Father | Anthony McClelland |
| Mother | Gloria Marie James |
| Career Profession | Professional Basketball Player |
| Height | 6 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | 250 lbs |
| Net Worth | $275 million |
LeBron Raymone James Sr is a professional basketball athlete that is currently playing for Los Angeles Lakers. He has caught the eyes of many when he became the number one NBA prospect when he was still just a high school kid. Now, LeBron is a 4 time NBA MVP, 3-time finals MVP and 3 time NBA champion. James accomplished these awards because of his strong and athletic body alongside his game IQ and superb passing ability unique for his size.
Early Life Story of LeBron James
LeBron James came into this world on December 30, 1984. He was raised at Akron, Ohio. James already has shown a glimpse of his natural basketball talent at a very young age. In 1999 James was recruited by St. Vincent-St. Mary High School basketball team to play for them. James has a whopping stats during his stay there, he had 2,657 points, 892 rebounds and 523 assists over four years.
In just his first year in the team, James already averaged 18 points per game. He also scored 25 points in the championship game to help his team win the Division 3 state title. This is where his name started to make noise all over the country.
In the next year, James became the first sophomore to be chosen for the USA Today All-USA First Team. In the same year, his team won the title 2 years in a row. By his 3rd year in high school, James won the PARADE magazine’s High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year.
After finishing his 3rd year in high school, LeBron has to decide whether to go pro or to finish his education. James decided to finish high school and in his 4th season, he averaged an amazing stat of 31.6 points per game that helped their team won their 3rd state title.
After finishing high school he decided to turn pro and with no surprise, James was chosen to be the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft. He joins the class of players that were drafted straight out of high school which is very rare. James was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers which of the moment is a struggling team. By adding a strong player like James their franchise has been revitalized.
NBA Career of Lebron James: Early and Current Status
Early Career
In his 1st season in the NBA, being just 20 years old LeBron was the youngest player to win the NBA Rookie of the Year award. He is also the first-ever player to wear a Cavaliers uniform to win the award. James averaged 20 points per game in his rookie season, a feat only 2 other great players accomplished, Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson.
In his 2nd year, James tremendously improved his scoring by 7.2 points per game, he averages 27.2 points per game at that point. In 2005 history has been made when scored more than 50 in one game making him the youngest player to ever do that.
The next year was a disappointing season for that star player of the Cavaliers. Even though they beat the Washington Wizards to proceed in the conference semi-finals they later bowed out to the strong Detroit Pistons. James averaged 26.6 points per game in the matchup against Detroit but still, that wasn’t enough to beat them.
After exiting the playoffs, James agreed to have a new contract with the Cavaliers. In the 2007 playoffs, they had their revenge on the Detroit Pistons beating them in the conference finals. Even though they look stronger this year by reaching the NBA finals they were destroyed by the stronger and much seasoned San Antonio Spurs. In the next season, James continued his great performance helping his team again reach the conference semi-finals where they were beaten by the Boston Celtics. In that year James averaged 30 points per game which is the highest that season.
James did not sign with the Cavaliers
In 2010, James did not sign again with the Cavaliers and he went to Miami Heat. This made the people of Cleveland angry and felt that they have been betrayed by James. In the 2011-2012 season, his decision to join the team was surely the right decision. In that year they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA finals that made them NBA Champions. James won his first NBA championship and Finals MVP.
In the following season on January 16, 2013, James made history once again becoming the youngest player to score 20,000 points being just 28 years old. This was just a year younger to his rival Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers who accomplished this when he was 29. In the same season, the Heat had a hard battle against the Pacers which they won which gained them a ticket for the NBA finals. They face that San Antonio Spurs in 7 games which they were victorious and they were the NBA champions for the 2nd straight year.
In the next season, it is a rematch between the San Antonio Spurs in the finals where the Spurs had their revenge. The Spurs beat Miami in just 5 games. After the loss James decided to not resign with the Heat and that he would return home to Cleveland.
First Player to Reach Finals for Five Consecutive Years: LeBron James
In the 2014-2015 season, James suffered from several injuries which cause him to miss 13 games that season. James ones again reached the NBA finals that year making him the first player in over 50 years to reach the finals for 5 consecutive years.
Though, they lost to the young and talented Golden State Warriors in 6 games. This was his chance to have his 3rd ring but he failed this time. In the next season, there were changes in the team including having a new coach.
Later that year they have the chance to take their revenge with the Warriors in the NBA finals. It was a hard-fought 7 game series in which James and his boys won the battle at the end. This was the franchise’s first-ever Championship after making a 3-1 comeback and winning it all.
Current Career Life
In the following season, James made his 7 straight finals appearance which is very rare to every player. They were set to match up again with the Warriors but this time it was the Warriors who were victorious beating James in 5 games
In 2018 James decided to leave Cleveland once again to join the Los Angeles Lakers when he was offered a whopping 4-year, $153.3 million contracts. James and the Lakers failed to reach the playoffs in his first year there blaming his teammates to have lack of commitment.
In 2019 we are all excited to watch James play again with a brand new roster in his side, including Anthony Davis, Rajon Rondo and many more.
Olympics Attended by LeBron James
LeBron James was part of 3 Olympic summer teams, he played in the USA uniform in 2004, 2008 and 2012. His first Olympic was a disappointment winning just bronze when they were expected to win Gold. Argentina won gold that year.
In 2008, James went back to the Olympics with a stronger squad naming them the Redemption team. In this team, they have Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Jason Kidd, and many more NBA stars. This time the team was very strong and they give no chance to their opponents. Later on, they won gold.
In the next Olympics in the 2012 team, the USA won its second consecutive gold. James played alongside NBA stars such as Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony.
LeBron James’ Salary
In the 2016-2017 season, James earned $31 million, this makes him the 3rd player to earn that much alongside Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. His ongoing contract is a 4 year $153.3 million with the Los Angeles Lakers. He has also other businesses and investments.
The Family Life of LeBron James: Wife and Kids
LeBron James is married to her high school lover Savannah Brinson. James proposed to her on January 1, 2012. James and Savannah had a private wedding inviting just 200 people in San Diego on September 14, 2013.
The couple has 2 boys and a girl. In 2004 James has his first son, LeBron Jr. The next son was born in 2007, Bryce. Brinson then gave birth to their daughter in 2014, Zhuri.
Career Statistics of LeBron James
In January 2018 being just 33 years old, James became the youngest player to reach 30,000 points. He beat his rival Kobe Bryant in this category. LeBron James became the 7th player the reach such milestone. He is now 8,000 points away to the number 1 spot which is being held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In 2019 James has overtaken Michael Jordan’s score tally 32,292 and he is now number 4 on the list.
Championships
James made history as he participated in 8 straight finals, he appeared in every final starting from 2011 to 2018. During his 8 finals trip, he manages to win 3 of them.
People May Ask
What company does LeBron James own?
With the fortune that he is with right now, LeBron has his own company. Aside from having the top endorsement portfolio from NBA, LeBron owns two companies. SpringHill Entertainment, a production company, and Uninterrupted, a media company.
Who slept with LeBron’s mom?
There were controversies from exclusive source news that LeBron’s mother is sleeping with someone. The sources claimed that it was Delonte West, a teammate of LeBron, who slept with his mother, Gloria James.
Where is LeBron James’ father?
LeBron had a rough childhood as he was born to a young mother and an abusive father. His father, Anthony McClelland, have extensive criminal records that result in him not being involved with the life of James.
