LeBron James is an American basketball player, NBA star. Plays in the position of a light forward. LeBron has become a real sensation in the world of sports. Originally from the slums, he earns more in a year than all other basketball players in the world combined.
Biography: childhood and adolescence
LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio. When he was born, his mother was only 16 years old. James has never seen his biological father. According to rumors, he was a con man and a prisoner. LeBron was very worried about the absence of his father as a child. In one of the interviews, he recalled that then he often asked himself the question why he did not have a father. Childhood trauma left an imprint on his entire future life. James still loves to talk about fatherhood in numerous interviews.
His mother gave him her last name, raised and raised him alone. According to James himself, she is now the closest person in his life. The family lived in poverty and constant moving. The frequent change of registration prevented LeBron from doing well at school and making loyal friends. His only outlet in childhood was sports. From a young age, he became interested in basketball and American football.
The guy showed good promise in both one and another sport. LeBron was forced to say goodbye to football after he broke his finger in one of the games. The injury was not serious, but it made him think about the risks he puts his future in basketball by combining the two sports.
Soon, the coach invited LeBron to live with his family. So James stopped skipping school and playing sports. LeBron became friends with the coach's son and the neighborhood kids who played basketball. Together they formed a school team and subsequently made it one of the best in the state.
By the eighth grade, James's height reached 185 cm. This allowed him to play in all five positions. According to his coach, LeBron had a basketball sixth sense. When his team became the finalist of the national high school championship, James got into the lens of the American media. Journalists started talking about him as a future NBA star. Subsequently, he became her.
In 2003, LeBron put himself in the NBA Draft. And he was selected number one by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Among his competitors in the draft then were: Chris Bosch, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade. At that time, James was barely 18 years old. He became the second player in NBA history to be drafted number one right out of school. Before him, Kwama Brown succeeded. However, he went on to become one of the worst first draft picks in NBA history.
Career
At Cleveland, James immediately became the leader and soul of the team. His NBA debut came against the Sacramento Kings. Although Cleveland lost 106-22, LeBron was able to score 25 points, make 6 rebounds and give 9 assists. Thus, he proved to skeptics that even at such a young age he is able to play at the highest level.
With him, "Cleveland" began to play with different colors and gained new fans around the world. James delighted the management and fans of the club with both ordinary overhead and slam-dunks, as well as breathtakingly beautiful "blind" passes. Every year, with his participation, he got into the top 10 at the end of the year in the NBA. The Cleveland Cavaliers made it to the NBA Finals without any problems. The attendance of the club's home matches has increased. And this, undoubtedly, was LeBron's contribution.
In 2004, James joined the national team and played at the Athens Olympics. The Americans then took the "bronze". Four years later, LeBron became the Olympic champion. At the next Games in London, he consolidated the previous result, taking the second Olympic gold. By that time, LeBron had become wildly popular. He was invited to appear in commercials and films. He became the first black man to appear on the cover of Vogue. His fees skyrocketed.
In 2010, LeBron became a free agent and announced his move to the Miami Heat. When Cleveland fans found out about this, they began to massively burn James' jersey shirts. The basketball player himself explained his decision by the desire to become the NBA champion. And as part of Cleveland it was unrealistic to carry out. In the 11/12 season, LeBron became the first NBA champion in his career.
James played in the Miami Heat until 2014. During this time, he received several awards and titles, including:
- Most Valuable Player in the NBA for the 2010, 2012 and 2013 seasons;
- US Basketball Federation's 2012 Athlete of the Year;
- Most Valuable Player in the NBA Finals in the 2012, 2013 seasons;
- Sports Illustrated 2012 Athlete of the Year;
- The Associated Press's 2013 Male Athlete of the Year.
In 2014, LeBron became a free agent and announced his decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers once again. By that time, the club was joined by such strong players as Iman Shumpert and J. R. Smith. In 2015, the club became the NBA champion for the first time in history.
In 2018, LeBron moved to the Los Angeles Lakers. The contract is for four years.
Records
LeBron James is widely regarded as a basketball phenomenon. He has dozens of records on his account. So, in LeBron's piggy bank:
- Most of the titles of "Best Player of the Week";
- points leadership in the history of the All-Star Game;
- NBA record for the number of assists for forwards;
- NBA record for the number of "clean sheets" wins in a series of playoffs.
Personal life
LeBron James is married to Savannah Brinson. They have known each other since school, but they officially registered the relationship only in 2013. Couples three children: two boys and a girl. The sons were born out of wedlock.
