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LeBron James
LeBron James (51959977144) (cropped2).jpg
James with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022
No. 23 – Los Angeles Lakers
Small forward / power forward
Personal information
Born (1984-12-30) December 30, 1984 (age 39)
Akron, Ohio, U.S.
High school St. Vincent–St. Mary (Akron, Ohio)
Listed height 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight 250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft 2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Pro career 2003–present
League NBA
Career history
2003–2010 Cleveland Cavaliers
2010–2014 Miami Heat
2014–2018 Cleveland Cavaliers
2018–present Los Angeles Lakers
Career highlights and awards
  • NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
  • 4× NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
  • NBA Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
  • NBA Cup champion (2023)
  • NBA Cup MVP (2023)
  • 19× NBA All-Star (2005–2023)
  • 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2006, 2008, 2018)
  • 13× All-NBA First Team (2006, 2008–2018, 2020)
  • 3× All-NBA Second Team (2005, 2007, 2021)
  • 3× All-NBA Third Team (2019, 2022, 2023)
  • 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2009–2013)
  • NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014)
  • NBA Rookie of the Year (2004)
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004)
  • NBA scoring champion (2008)
  • NBA assists leader (2020)
  • NBA 75th Anniversary Team
  • AP Athlete of the Decade (2010s)
  • 4× AP Athlete of the Year (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020)
  • Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2012, 2016, 2020)
  • USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2012)
  • 2× National high school player of the year (2002, 2003)
  • McDonald's All-American Game MVP (2003)
  • 2× First-team Parade All-American (2002, 2003)
  • 3× Ohio Mr. Basketball (2001–2003)
  • No. 23 retired by St. Vincent–St. Mary
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold 2008 Beijing Team
Gold 2012 London Team
Bronze 2004 Athens Team
FIBA World Championship
Bronze 2006 Japan
FIBA Americas Championship
Gold 2007 Las Vegas

LeBron Raymone James Sr. ( -bron; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "King James", he is widely recognized as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport and is often compared to Michael Jordan in debates over the greatest basketball player of all time. He has won four NBA championships (two with the Miami Heat, one each with the Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers), and has competed in 10 NBA Finals, including eight consecutive Finals appearances from 2011 to 2018. James was also part of the first team to win the NBA Cup with the Lakers in 2023, and won two Olympic gold medals as a member of the U.S. men's national team.

His projects off the court have made LeBron even more wealthy and famous. He has been paid for his many endorsements. (To endorse something is to recommend or speak highly of that product). He has been shown in books, documentaries, and television commercials.

Early life

James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, to Gloria Marie James, who was 16 at the time of his birth. His father, Anthony McClelland, has a long criminal record and was not involved in his life. Gloria was left to raise her son by herself and had a hard time finding work. James moved in with the family of Frank Walker, a local youth football coach who introduced James to basketball, when he was nine years old.

James began playing organized basketball in the fifth grade. He later played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars. James played basketball and football at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School.

High school career

Basketball

As a 6-foot-2-inch (1.88 m) tall freshman, James averaged 21 points and 6 rebounds per game for the St. Vincent–St. Mary varsity basketball team. The Fighting Irish finished the season undefeated. By the time LeBron was a sophomore, college and NBA scouts came to his games to see him play.

In 2001, during the summer before his junior year, writer for Slam magazine Ryan Jones said that 16-year-old James, who had grown to 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m), was "[possibly] the best high school basketball player in America right now." During the season, James also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, becoming the first high school basketball underclassman (a student who is not a senior) to do so.

Throughout his senior year, James and the Fighting Irish traveled around the country to play several nationally ranked teams. He participated in three year-end high school basketball all-star games, and networks were already looking to make money from televising his games.

Also during his senior year, James was the centerpiece of several controversies such as accepting a Hummer H2 and accepting two throwback jerseys worth $845 from an urban clothing store in exchange for posing for pictures. He appealed his punishments for breaking the rules of the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) and won his case, making him able to continue playing basketball.

Football

As an underclassman, James played wide receiver for St. Vincent–St. Mary's football team. He was recruited by some Division I programs, including Notre Dame. James did not play football his senior year because he had injured his wrist in a basketball game.

Professional career

Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010)

LeBron's hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, selected him as the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA draft. He immediately began performing well and winning many awards.

James continued to perform well, rising to superstardom and leading his team to victories in games. At the end of the 2003-04 NBA season, he became the first Cavalier to receive the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.

LeBronWizards1
James picks up his dribble against Caron Butler of the Washington Wizards in November 2006.

In the 2006–07 NBA season, James's averages declined. Some analysts said that his passing skills and shot selection lessened because he had a lack of effort and focus: He was relying on his past success and not working as hard as he used to work. LeBron began working harder again, and in February of the 2007–08 season, James was named All-Star Game MVP for the second time.

During the years 2008–2010, James continued to play well. He led his team to the 2009 NBA playoffs. Cleveland would lose the series in six games, and following the loss in Game 6, James immediately left the floor without shaking hands with his opponents, which was an act that many viewed as unsportsmanlike. In February of the 2009–10 season, James was forced to play point guard after a series of injuries to players in the Cavaliers' backcourt. The team still did quite well, ending the season with the best record in the league.

LebronStevenson
James and DeShawn Stevenson in April 2008. The two had a short feud after Stevenson called James "overrated".

Miami Heat (2010–2014)

James became an unrestricted free agent at 12:01 am EDT on July 1, 2010. During this time, many teams contacted him to ask if he would play for their team. On July 8, he announced on a live ESPN special titled The Decision that he would sign with the Miami Heat. The day before the special, fellow free agents Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade also announced that they would sign with Miami. James officially signed with the Heat on July 10, 2010. That evening, the Heat threw a welcome party for their new "big three."

When he left the Cavaliers, James received intense criticism from sports analysts, executives, fans, and current and former players. As a result of his actions during the 2010 free agency period, he quickly gained a reputation as one of America's most disliked athletes.

From 2011–2013, the Heat enjoyed taking part in back-to-back championships. The 2011–12 season was delayed by a lockout, and during that longer summer, James worked with Hakeem Olajuwon in order to improve his post up game (moving to the low post – near the basket – for an easy layup, dunk, or jump shot). After losing to the Mavericks in the previous year's finals, James decided to leave behind the villain role. This helped him regain a sense of joy on the court.

During the 2013–2014 season, James did well, leading his team to the finals. The Heat, however, did not win the NBA finals (what would have been called a "three-peat") that year. It was LeBron's final year with the Miami Heat.

Return to the Cavaliers (2014–2018)

James opted out of his contract with the Heat during the summer of 2014 and announced that he planned to return to the Cavaliers. A month after James's signing, the Cavaliers added Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving to the team.

In January of the 2014–15 season, James missed two weeks due to left knee and lower back strains, which at the time represented the longest stretch of missed games in his career. In 2015, LeBron led his team to the Conference Finals, and in 2016, he led his team to win the the Finals.

Injuries and unexpected losses happened to the Cavaliers during the 2016–17 season. Despite these setbacks, LeBron led his team to the the Finals, but the team was defeated in five games.

LeBron James vs. Kyrie Irving (23965056038)
James protects the ball from Kyrie Irving in October 2017. The two were teammates in Cleveland for three seasons.

Before the start of the 2017–18 season, the Cavaliers traded Kyrie Irving to the Celtics. Irving requested a trade partly because he no longer wanted to play with James. Once again, James led his team to the Finals, but the team was defeated in four games.

Los Angeles Lakers (2018–present)

During the summer of 2018, James opted out of his contract with the Cavaliers and became an unrestricted free agent. He signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers expected James to immediately lead them to the playoffs, as he had done with the Heat and the Cavaliers. However, James suffered a groin injury, the first major injury of his career. He was unable to play for 17 games and the team did not make it to the 2019 playoffs.

During the offseason, the Lakers hired Frank Vogel as their new head coach and traded players for Anthony Davis. James moved to point guard and made more effort on defense. Behind James's leadership, the Lakers did well for the season. James did begin to treat others better and was allowed to play. The team advanced to the 2020 NBA Finals, where they played James's former team, the Heat. The Lakers defeated the Heat in six games.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020–21 season was shortened to 72 games. Despite injuries on the team, the Lakers made the 2021 NBA playoffs but lost.

LeBron James (51960276445) (cropped)
James posterizing former Cleveland teammate Kevin Love in a game against the Cavaliers on March 21, 2022.

During the 2021–22 season, James became the second player in NBA history (after Michael Jordan) to post 40 points and zero turnovers at age 35 or older. He also became the oldest player to average 25+ points per game and set many other records. The Lakers did not make it to the playoffs that year.

On August 18, 2022, James re-signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year, $97.1M deal. The contract extension made James the highest-paid athlete in NBA history.

National team career

James first played the United States national team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. The team did not win a gold medal that year.

At the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, James helped his team win a bronze medal. James's teammate Bruce Bowen confronted James during tryouts because he did not like the way James treated staff members.

Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski told James that before he would be allowed to play on the 2008 Olympic team, he had to improve his attitude. Team USA progressed and won the gold in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

James did not play at the 2010 FIBA World Championship but rejoined Team USA for the 2012 Olympics in London, England. Team USA went on to win their second straight gold medal, again defeating Spain in the final game.

Player profile

Standing 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m) tall and weighing 250 pounds (113 kg), James has played most of his career at the small forward and power forward positions. He has also played other positions when necessary. Throughout the 2010s, he was usually ranked as the best player in the NBA each season by ESPN and Sports Illustrated.

Offense

As an 18-year-old rookie, James led the Cavaliers in scoring. He holds numerous "youngest to" honors in the area of offense. His combination of speed, quickness, and size often created matchup problems for opposing teams because he could rush past larger defenders and overpower smaller ones.

In Miami, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra changed James's role to a more uncommon one. James spent more time in the post and improved his shot selection and accuracy on jump shots. Because of these improvements, James made more shots he took.

For most of his career, James has controlled the offense as the primary ball handler on his team. Some of his best skills are playmaking and passing.

Defense

LeBron James (40626830701)
James defending against Joe Harris in February 2018

At the beginning of James's NBA career, he was considered a poor defensive player, but he improved steadily through the years. In Miami, he developed into a better defensive player. He became good enough to guard all five positions of the opposing teams.

Beginning in 2014, some analysts reported that James was not doing well defensively. They believed it came from a lack of effort and his aging. After missed drives on offense, he often dawdled back on defense while complaining to the referees. He eventually developed a reputation for playing better defense in the playoffs, which some analysts referred to as "Playoff LeBron."

Legacy

James left high school as one of the most hyped prospects in NBA history. Upon entering the NBA, he made an immediate impact and was voted Rookie of the Year in his first season. As of June 2022, he has been named to 18 All-NBA Teams, including 13 times to the First Team, which are both NBA records. He has won four MVP awards and four Finals MVP Awards. He earned All-Defensive honors every season from 2009 to 2014. He has appeared in 10 NBA Finals.

James has been included in the rankings of the best basketball players in history, and he was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Decade for the 2010s. He has frequently been compared to Michael Jordan. LeBron has voiced his desire to play basketball into his forties, possibly alongside or against his sons Bronny and Bryce.

Off the court

Personal life

James married his high school sweetheart and mother of his children Savannah James on September 14, 2013, in San Diego, California. They have three children: two sons — Bronny and Bryce — and daughter Zhuri. During his stint with the Heat, James resided in Coconut Grove, where he bought a $9 million three-story mansion overlooking Biscayne Bay. In November 2015, James bought a 9,350 square-foot (870 m2) East Coast-style mansion in Brentwood, Los Angeles for about $21 million. James owns another home in Brentwood, which he purchased for $23 million in December 2017.

James spends more money than most people on his health. He spends about $1.5 million a year to pay for personal chefs (people who plan and cook meals for him) and athletic trainers, as well as physical therapies for recovery. He has a strict exercise routine and eats differently than is considered normal for a top athlete. He eats dessert with every meal and drinks wine every night. During the COVID-19 pandemic, James received a COVID-19 vaccine.

James's best friends in the NBA are Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and former Heat teammate Dwyane Wade. The trio has been referred to as the "banana boat crew."

Public image

By 2015, James was considered by many people, including his fellow NBA players, to be the "face of the NBA." Because he is such a good player, the people who make important league decisions listen to his opinions. On February 13, 2015, James was elected the first vice president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).

Throughout his career, James has been ranked as one of the world's most influential athletes and one of the world's most influential people. People have lavished him with attention and money. Many people purchase sports memorabilia with his name on it.

Activism

LeBronJames MichelleObama DwyaneWade
James, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Dwyane Wade tape a public service announcement in January 2014

James is a supporter of non-profit organizations, including After-School All-Stars, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Children's Defense Fund. He also has his own charity foundation, the LeBron James Family Foundation, which is based in Akron. In 2016, he donated $2.5 million to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to support an exhibit on Muhammad Ali.

Throughout his career, James has taken stances on controversial issues. Even though he is among the wealthiest and most famous in America, he said that "being black in America is tough. We got a long way to go for us as a society and for us as African Americans until we feel equal in America."

LeBron has publicly supported Democratic presidential campaigns. In June 2022, James condemned the ruling of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, saying that the decision is about "power and control."

Akron endeavors

Public and charitable initiatives undertaken by James in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, under the LeBron James Family Foundation banner:

  • I Promise School
  • I Promise Institute at the University of Akron
  • I Promise Village (housing complex)
  • House Three-Thirty (community center/retail plaza)
  • I Promise Health Quarters (medical center)

Media figure and business interests

Endorsements

James has signed many endorsement contracts with companies including Audemars Piguet, Beats by Dre, Coca-Cola, Dunkin' Brands, McDonald's, Nike, and State Farm. When Apple purchased Beats Electronics in 2014, James profited more than $30 million. In 2011, James co-founded the designer retail store UNKNWN in Miami, Florida.

Entertainment

James has made various appearances on TV and in film. He and his business partner Maverick Carter own production company SpringHill Entertainment, whose first work was the Lions Gate documentary More Than a Game. The 2009 documentary told the story of James's high school years. Series produced by SpringHill include the NBC game show The Wall, the Disney XD sports documentary show Becoming, the Starz sitcom Survivor's Remorse, and the animated web series The LeBrons.

In June 2022, it was announced James is launching a media company in partnership with professional tennis player Naomi Osaka and Maverick Carter's SpringHill Company. The production and content creation company will be named Hana Kuma, which means "flower" and "bear" in Japanese.

Investments

In 2012, James, Carter, Paul Wachter invested in the Pasadena-based fast casual chain Blaze Pizza. James later became a spokesman for the company and began appearing in advertisements after ending his contract with McDonald's.

During the 2019 off-season, James tried to claim the term "Taco Tuesday" as his own for use in downloadable audio/visual works, podcasts, social media, online marketing, and entertainment services. The request was denied by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, stating that Taco Tuesday is "a commonplace term, message, or expression widely used by a variety of sources that merely conveys an ordinary, familiar, well-recognized concept or sentiment."

LeBron James quotes

  • “I like criticism. It makes you strong.”
  • “You can’t be afraid to fail. It’s the only way you succeed. You’re not gonna succeed all the time and I know that.”
  • "I treated it like every day was my last day with a basketball.”
  • "Commitment is a big part of what I am and what I believe. How committed are you to winning?"

Interesting facts about LeBron James

  • James is a huge cartoon lover. His favorite cartoon show is "Tom & Jerry," but also says "Spongebob Squarepants" is up there among his favorites.
  • Earth Science was LeBron's favorite subject in school.
  • LeBron's first in-game slam dunk was in 8th grade during a teachers vs. students basketball game.
  • Michael Jordan noticed James before his junior year in high school and wanted him to play in basketball scrimmages in Chicago.
  • LeBron's second son, Bryce Maximus, was born during his first trip to the NBA Finals in 2007 when he was with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
  • LeBron James and Michael Jordan are the only players to win a regular season MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.
  • LeBron writes and eats left-handed but shoots with his right hand.

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2003–04 Cleveland 79 79 39.5 .417 .290 .754 5.5 5.9 1.6 .7 20.9
2004–05 Cleveland 80 80 42.4* .472 .351 .750 7.4 7.2 2.2 .7 27.2
2005–06 Cleveland 79 79 42.5 .480 .335 .738 7.0 6.6 1.6 .8 31.4
2006–07 Cleveland 78 78 40.9 .476 .319 .698 6.7 6.0 1.6 .7 27.3
2007–08 Cleveland 75 74 40.4 .484 .315 .712 7.9 7.2 1.8 1.1 30.0*
2008–09 Cleveland 81 81 37.7 .489 .344 .780 7.6 7.2 1.7 1.1 28.4
2009–10 Cleveland 76 76 39.0 .503 .333 .767 7.3 8.6 1.6 1.0 29.7
2010–11 Miami 79 79 38.8 .510 .330 .759 7.5 7.0 1.6 .6 26.7
2011–12† Miami 62 62 37.5 .531 .362 .771 7.9 6.2 1.9 .8 27.1
2012–13† Miami 76 76 37.9 .565 .406 .753 8.0 7.3 1.7 .9 26.8
2013–14 Miami 77 77 37.7 .567 .379 .750 6.9 6.4 1.6 .3 27.1
2014–15 Cleveland 69 69 36.1 .488 .354 .710 6.0 7.4 1.6 .7 25.3
2015–16† Cleveland 76 76 35.6 .520 .309 .731 7.4 6.8 1.4 .6 25.3
2016–17 Cleveland 74 74 37.8* .548 .363 .674 8.6 8.7 1.2 .6 26.4
2017–18 Cleveland 82* 82* 36.9* .542 .367 .731 8.6 9.1 1.4 .9 27.5
2018–19 L.A. Lakers 55 55 35.2 .510 .339 .665 8.5 8.3 1.3 .6 27.4
2019–20† L.A. Lakers 67 67 34.6 .493 .348 .693 7.8 10.2* 1.2 .5 25.3
2020–21 L.A. Lakers 45 45 33.4 .513 .365 .698 7.7 7.8 1.1 .6 25.0
2021–22 L.A. Lakers 56 56 37.2 .524 .359 .756 8.2 6.2 1.3 1.1 30.3
2022–23 L.A. Lakers 55 54 35.5 .500 .321 .768 8.3 6.8 .9 .6 28.9
Career 1,421 1,419 38.1 .505 .345 .735 7.5 7.3 1.5 .8 27.2
All-Star 19double-dagger 19double-dagger 27.5 .516 .304 .725 5.8 5.8 1.2 .4 22.4

Play-in

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2021 L.A. Lakers 1 1 34.9 .412 .500 .667 11.0 10.0 2.0 1.0 22.0
2023 L.A. Lakers 1 1 45.3 .571 .500 1.000 10.0 6.0 1.0 2.0 30.0
Career 2 2 40.1 .500 .500 .750 10.5 8.0 1.5 1.5 26.0

Playoffs

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2006 Cleveland 13 13 46.5 .476 .333 .737 8.1 5.8 1.4 .7 30.8
2007 Cleveland 20 20 44.7 .416 .280 .755 8.1 8.0 1.7 .5 25.1
2008 Cleveland 13 13 42.5 .411 .257 .731 7.8 7.6 1.8 1.3 28.2
2009 Cleveland 14 14 41.4 .510 .333 .749 9.1 7.3 1.6 .9 35.3
2010 Cleveland 11 11 41.8 .502 .400 .733 9.3 7.6 1.7 1.8 29.1
2011 Miami 21 21 43.9 .466 .353 .763 8.4 5.9 1.7 1.2 23.7
2012† Miami 23 23 42.7 .500 .259 .739 9.7 5.6 1.9 .7 30.3
2013† Miami 23 23 41.7 .491 .375 .777 8.4 6.6 1.8 .8 25.9
2014 Miami 20 20 38.2 .565 .407 .806 7.1 4.8 1.9 .6 27.4
2015 Cleveland 20 20 42.2 .417 .227 .731 11.3 8.5 1.7 1.1 30.1
2016† Cleveland 21 21 39.1 .525 .340 .661 9.5 7.6 2.3 1.3 26.3
2017 Cleveland 18 18 41.3 .565 .411 .698 9.1 7.8 1.9 1.3 32.8
2018 Cleveland 22 22 41.9 .539 .342 .746 9.1 9.0 1.4 1.0 34.0
2020† L.A. Lakers 21 21 36.3 .560 .370 .720 10.8 8.8 1.2 .9 27.6
2021 L.A. Lakers 6 6 37.3 .474 .375 .609 7.2 8.0 1.5 .3 23.3
2023 L.A. Lakers 16 16 38.7 .498 .264 .761 9.9 6.5 1.1 1.1 24.5
Career 282double-dagger 282double-dagger 41.3 .495 .331 .741 9.0 7.2 1.7 1.0 28.5

Awards and honors

Miami Heat Championship Parade 2012 3
James (center) celebrates during the Heat's 2012 championship parade.
LeBron James (51915470845)
LeBron James at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game
  • NBA champion: 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020
  • 4× NBA Finals Most Valuable Player: 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020
  • 4× NBA Most Valuable Player: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013
  • 19× NBA All-Star: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
  • 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2006, 2008, 2018
  • 19× All-NBA selection:
    • 13× First team: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020
    • 3× Second team: 2005, 2007, 2021
    • 3× Third team: 2019, 2022, 2023
  • 6× NBA All-Defensive selection:
    • 5× First Team: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
    • Second Team: 2014
  • NBA Rookie of the Year: 2004
  • NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2004
  • NBA scoring leader: 2008
  • NBA assists leader: 2020
  • 3× NBA minutes leader: 2007, 2017, 2018
  • J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award: 2017
  • NBA 75th Anniversary Team
  • NBA Cup winner: 2023
  • NBA Cup Most Valuable Player: 2023
  • 2× Olympic Gold Medal winner: 2008, 2012
  • 2004 Olympic Bronze Medal winner
  • 2006 FIBA World Championship Bronze Medal winner
  • 2007 FIBA Americas Championship Gold Medal winner
  • 2012 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year
  • Commemorative banner in Miami's American Airlines Arena (for his 2012 gold medal won as a member of the Miami Heat)
  • 2003 National Champion
  • 3× OHSAA Champion: 2000, 2001, 2003
  • 2003 Naismith Prep Player of the Year
  • 2× Mr. Basketball USA: 2002, 2003
  • 2× Gatorade National Player of the Year 2002, 2003
  • USA Today High School Player of the Year 2002, 2003
  • 3× Ohio Mr. Basketball: 2001, 2002, 2003
  • USA Today All-USA First Team: 2001, 2002, 2003
  • 2× PARADE High School Player of the Year: 2002, 2003
  • 2003 McDonald's National Player of the Year
  • 2003 McDonald's High School All-American
  • 2003 McDonald's All-American Game MVP
  • 2003 EA Sports Roundball Classic MVP
  • 2003 Jordan Brand Classic MVP
  • No. 23 retired by St. Vincent–St. Mary
  • St. Vincent–St. Mary Hall of Fame (class of 2011)
  • St. Vincent–St. Mary home basketball court named The LeBron James Arena
  • AP Athlete of the Decade (2010s)
  • 4× AP Athlete of the Year (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020)
  • Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2012, 2016, 2020)
  • 2012 Sporting News Athlete of the Year
  • Sporting News NBA MVP (2006, 2009, 2010)
  • 2004 Sporting News Rookie of the Year
  • Sports Illustrated NBA All-Decade First Team (2000s)
  • 2× Hickok Belt winner: 2012, 2013
  • 20× ESPY Award winner in various categories (16 individually, four as part of a team)
  • BET Sportsman of the Year Award winner
  • 2020 Time Athlete of the Year
  • 2017 Jackie Robinson Award
  • 2021 President's Award
  • 2020 Outstanding Long Sports Documentary (as executive producer of What's My Name? – Muhammed Ali Part 1)
  • 2021 Outstanding Edited Sports Series (as executive producer of The Shop: Uninterrupted)
  • 2023 Outstanding Long Documentary (as executive producer of The Redeem Team)
  • 6× Cleveland Sports Awards Professional Athlete of the Year: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2015, 2016
  • South Main Street in downtown Akron renamed King James Way
  • Six-story commemorative banner in downtown Akron
  • Featured on Space Jam inspired mural in Akron near his alma mater (St. Vincent St. Mary) and his I Promise school
  • Featured on "Cleveland is the Reason" mural in downtown Cleveland (with other notable Cleveland area figures)
  • Honorary lockers at Ohio State's football and basketball facilities
  • LeBron James Home Court Museum in Akron, Ohio

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2008 More than a Game Himself
2009 Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants
2015 Trainwreck
2018 Smallfoot Gwangi Voice role
2021 Space Jam: A New Legacy Himself Also co-producer
2022 Black Ice N/A Executive producer
2023 House Party Himself Also co-producer

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2004 My Wife and Kids Himself Episode: "Outbreak Monkey"
2005 The Simpsons Episode: "Homer and Ned's Hail Mary Pass"
2007 Saturday Night Live Episode: "LeBron James/Kanye West"
2009 Entourage Episode: "Give a Little Bit"
SpongeBob SquarePants Episode: "SpongeBob's Truth or Square"
2011 The Cleveland Show Episode: "A Short Story and a Tall Tale"
2011–2014 The LeBrons Lead role
2015 Survivor's Remorse Episode: "Guts"
2016 Teen Titans Go! Episode: "The Cruel Giggling Ghoul"
2017–present The Wall N/A Executive producer
2018–present The Shop Host
2020 Graduate Together: America Honors the High School Class of 2020
Self Made N/A
2022 Legacy: The True Story of the LA Lakers Himself Documentary series

See also

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