lebron james informative essay

LeBron James’s: Biography of a Famous Basketball Player Essay

Basketball has always been one of the most favorite games of Americans. The National Basketball Association (NBA), which includes a variety of teams representing every US state, annually unites all fans around the country and the whole world. However, among the existing teams and famous players, there are the ones who stand out from the crowd and attract people’s attention even if these people are not fond of sports. A prime example of such a basketball player is LeBron James. Today, this name is familiar for almost every person around the world, as James repeatedly appeared in many advertisements such as Nike and Coca-Coca. He also starred in such movies as Space Jam and Trainwreck , and he is now famous for producing a number of motion pictures that the audience will see in the next few years.

However, while people hear his name for a number of reasons, LeBron James became famous for his expertise in the game of basketball. While living in Cleveland for the past five years, I have realized how proud people are to say that they come from the state of Ohio because James was born here. LeBron James comes from the beautiful city of Akron, Ohio, where he was born on December 30, 1984 (“LeBron James”). His childhood was not easy, as he was raised in a single-parent family with no financial stability. However, the amount of love and support his mother gave him was enough for LeBron to become good at sports at a young age.

After graduating from high school, James decided to pursue a career as a professional basketball player. In 2003, LeBron James joined Cleveland Cavaliers and became the most successful player in the team’s history. Of course, in the beginning, LeBron James was not considered as a full-scale competitor for such basketball stars as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. However, over time, James’s rapid progress made him even more famous than his older colleagues. James decided to switch teams in 2010, leaving Cleveland Cavaliers and joining Miami Heat. Although Cleveland Cavaliers did not become NBA champions during the 2003-2010 period, everyone was extremely upset about James’s decision because he was one of the most promising All-Stars players at the time.

When playing for Miami Heat, LeBron James helped his team become an NBA champion two seasons in a row. After such a success, he decided to come back to his motherland and play for Cleveland Cavaliers for four more years, from 2014 to 2018. As a result, the team won the NBA championship in 2016. When James left the team for the second time, everyone was once again upset with his life choices. At the time, James decided to take the offer that would be better for his career and joined the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most successful NBA teams in history (“LeBron James”). Last year, he won an NBA championship with the team, and today he continues to be a part of the Lakers.

At the moment, LeBron James is thirty-six years old, and there are many rumors about his future and his career. Some people think that he is already too old to play basketball and it is high time for him to retire. Others, however, are sure that he is in perfect shape to continue playing basketball for a few more years. While it is unclear, the only certain thing about LeBron James is the fact that he is one of the most successful sportsmen in the US and world history, and people from all around the globe should look up to him.

For a person like me who is not fond of sports and basketball, in particular, the name of LeBron James is closely associated with this sport, as it is hard to find a person in Cleveland who would not be able to say at least a few words about this man. He is not only a successful sportsman but a famous businessman and philanthropist. This man should be admired not only for his achievements in basketball but for his desire to use his fame for good intentions. Millions of his fans worldwide are inspired by LeBron James, who encourages people to donate money for charity and support low-income families. Moreover, although LeBron is currently the highest-paid athlete after Cristiano Ronaldo, he still remembers his childhood and how sports helped him become the person he is today. For this reason, every year, LeBron James organizes a summer camp for teenage basketball players to improve their skills and encourage them to pursue this career.

To sum up, I would like to say that LeBron James is now undoubtedly one of the most famous people on the planet. It is fascinating because he is a basketball player who is known by people who have never seen a basketball game in their life. Throughout his successful career, James has achieved a lot for himself, for his country, and for his teammates. Thus, no matter what team he currently plays for, Cleveland residents will always be proud of the fact that LeBron James comes from their state.

“LeBron James.” Biography , 2021. Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 19). LeBron James’s: Biography of a Famous Basketball Player. https://ivypanda.com/essays/lebron-jamess-biography-of-a-famous-basketball-player/

"LeBron James’s: Biography of a Famous Basketball Player." IvyPanda , 19 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/lebron-jamess-biography-of-a-famous-basketball-player/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'LeBron James’s: Biography of a Famous Basketball Player'. 19 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "LeBron James’s: Biography of a Famous Basketball Player." February 19, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/lebron-jamess-biography-of-a-famous-basketball-player/.

1. IvyPanda . "LeBron James’s: Biography of a Famous Basketball Player." February 19, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/lebron-jamess-biography-of-a-famous-basketball-player/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "LeBron James’s: Biography of a Famous Basketball Player." February 19, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/lebron-jamess-biography-of-a-famous-basketball-player/.

• Lebron James and Xavier Player News: A Resonant Event
• Emotional Appeal in L. James' Powerade Commercial
• Role of Media in the Modern Society
• Sports as a Socialization Tool in Minority Groups
• Content Analysis of Two Different Forms of Media
• How Does Nike Encourage Young People to Participate in Sport?
• Evo Morales and Coca in Bolivia
• The US Basketball Teams' Performance Analysis
• The Impact of Coca Eradication in Colombia and Bolivia
• Kobe Bryant: “Beefsteak” in American Basketball History
• UniForm Athlete Agent Act: Is UAAA a State or Federal Law?
• Long-Distance Runner as Career
• Female Athletes Starved by Male Coaches
• Standards and Requirements in Professional Athletics
• Major Determinants of Long-Distance Running Events

LeBron James

LeBron James became an immediate star after skipping college to join the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. He led the Miami Heat to NBA titles in 2012 and 2013 and won another championship with Cleveland in 2016, before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

Who Is LeBron James?

LeBron James is an American basketball player with the Los Angeles Lakers. James first garnered national attention as the top high school basketball player in the country. With his unique combination of size, athleticism and court vision, he became a four-time NBA MVP. After leading the Miami Heat to titles in 2012 and 2013, James returned to Cleveland and helped the franchise claim its first championship in 2016.

Early Life and High School Basketball Career

James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. At an early age, James showed a natural talent for basketball. He was recruited by St. Vincent-St. Mary High School to join their basketball team in 1999. Overall, James scored 2,657 points, 892 rebounds and 523 assists during his four years there.

As a freshman, James averaged 18 points per game. He helped the team to a Division III state title by scoring 25 points in the championship game. Word of his advanced basketball skills spread, and James received several honors for his performance.

As a high school sophomore, James was chosen for the USA Today All-USA First Team. He was the first sophomore ever selected for this award. His team also won the Division III state title for the second year in a row.

The following school year, James was named PARADE magazine's High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year. Following the end of his junior year, James was such a strong player that he contemplated going pro.

Deciding to finish his education, James had a tremendous senior year on the court. He averaged 31.6 points per game, helping his team clinch their third state title. The St. Vincent-St. Mary High School team also earned the top national ranking that year. James would soon emerge as one of the National Basketball Association's leading players.

With his impressive record, it was no surprise that James was the first player picked in the 2003 NBA Draft straight out of high school. The Cleveland Cavaliers signed the powerful young forward, and he proved to be a valuable addition to the then-struggling franchise. The team had ended the previous season in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Cleveland Cavaliers

During the 2003-04 season, James made history when he became the first member of the Cavalier franchise to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He also became the youngest player — at only 20 years old — to receive this honor.

James continued to excel professionally in the NBA the following season, upping his average points per game to 27.2. He made NBA history again in 2005 when he became the youngest player to score more than 50 points in one game.

In 2006, James helped his team defeat the Washington Wizards in the first round of playoff action. From there, the Cavaliers took on the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals. James scored an average of 26.6 per game in this postseason matchup, but it wasn't enough to secure victory for his team. While his team wasn't at the top of the rankings, James himself continued to receive special recognition for his abilities.

In 2006, James reached a new contract agreement with the Cavaliers. The team proved to be stronger competitors the following season, defeating Detroit to win the Eastern Conference. In the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, however, the Cavaliers lost their championship bid in four consecutive games.

During the 2007-08 season, James continued to help the Cavaliers improve their standing in the Eastern Conference. The team made it to the semifinals, where they were defeated by the Boston Celtics in seven games. In terms of individual performance, James had a stellar year, outperforming such rival players as Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson by scoring an average of 30 points per game, the highest average in the NBA regular season.

Early in the 2008-09 season, sports journalists and fans began talking about James' future in the sport. He had the option to become a free agent in 2010, and there was much discussion as to where James would end up. Some journalists identified the New York Knicks as a potential suitor for the rising player.

James made several references to his impending free-agent status, but he was sure to downplay the matter. "I am focused on the team that I am on right now and winning a championship ... I don't think about making a change at this point," James told reporters.

DOWNLOAD BIOGRAPHY'S LEBRON JAMES FACT CARD

Shortly after becoming a free agent, James announced that he would be joining the Miami Heat for the 2010-11 season. His fans in Cleveland were less than pleased, and many considered his departure a betrayal to his hometown.

Soon after James' announcement, Cleveland Cavaliers majority owner Dan Gilbert wrote an open letter declaring James' decision as "selfish," "heartless" and a "cowardly betrayal." Unfazed, James finished second in the league during his first season with the Heat, scoring 26.7 points per game.

The 2011-12 season saw major success for James and the Miami Heat. With his team's victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, the superstar forward finally earned his first title. In the clinching Game 5, James scored 26 points, and had 11 rebounds and 13 assists. "I made a difficult decision to leave Cleveland, but I understood what my future was about," James told FOX Sports following the game. "I knew we had a bright future [in Miami]."

During the 2012-13 season, James made NBA history yet again: On January 16, 2013, at age 28, he became the youngest player to score 20,000 points, succeeding Bryant of the Lakers — who accomplished this feat when he was 29 — and becoming only the 38th player in NBA history to achieve this distinction. James made a jump shot the final seconds of the game, bringing his scoring total 20,001 and leading the Heat to a 92-75 victory over the Warriors.

Success followed the Heat to the end of the 2012-13 season: Following a hard-fought, six-game series against the Indiana Pacers to win the Eastern Conference, Miami outlasted the San Antonio Spurs in seven games to win its second consecutive NBA championship.

At the culmination of the 2013-14 season, Miami returned to the NBA Finals to face off against the Spurs again, this time losing to San Antonio after five games.

Return to Cleveland Cavaliers

In July of 2014, after opting out of his contract with the Heat and considering other teams, James announced that he would be returning to the Cavaliers.

Hampered by back and knee problems, James missed 13 of 82 regular-season games in 2014-15. However, he was as dominant as ever when healthy, averaging 25.3 points and 7.4 assists per game. James led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, becoming the first player in nearly 50 years to reach the championship round in five consecutive seasons. However, injuries to star teammates Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving damaged his hopes of claiming a third title, and the Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games.

Over the course of 2015-16, the Cavs overcame the distraction of a mid-season coaching change and breezed through the playoffs to earn a rematch with the Warriors, marking the sixth straight NBA Finals appearance for "King James." In perhaps the crowning achievement of his career, he led his team back from a 3-1 deficit, scoring 41 points in both Games 5 and 6, before recording a triple-double in Game 7 to give the Cavs their first championship in franchise history.

Voted Finals MVP, James said, "I came back to bring a championship to our city. I knew what I was capable of doing. I knew what I learned in the last couple years that I was gone, and I knew if I had to — when I came back — I knew I had the right ingredients and the right blueprint to help this franchise get back to a place that we've never been. That's what it was all about."

The following year, James again paced himself and took charge when necessary, driving the Cavs through the Eastern Conference to make an incredible seventh consecutive appearance in the NBA Finals. This time, with former MVP Kevin Durant added to the mix, the Warriors proved too formidable for James and his teammates, claiming the championship in five games.

For all his accomplishments, James achieved another first early in the 2017-18 NBA season: After yelling at a referee during a late November win over the Heat, he was ejected for the first time in 1,082 career games.

The superstar likely felt like yelling often during the course of a frustrating campaign, as an offseason trade that sent Irving to Boston for Isaiah Thomas failed to bear fruit and forced the Cavs to make another major deal before the All-Star break.

After averaging a career-best 9.1 assists in the regular season, James had to dig deep just to get the team out of the first round of the playoffs, delivering a brilliant 45-point effort to sink the Pacers in Game 7. The Cavs were again pushed to the limit two rounds later by the scrappy Celtics, but James scored 81 points over the last two games to pull out the series win and make his eighth straight NBA Finals appearance.

Game 1 of the rematch against Golden State went down to the wire, thanks to James's 51-point outburst, but Cleveland guard J.R. Smith inexplicably dribbled out the clock with the game tied in regulation, before the Warriors pulled away for the win in overtime. That represented the Cavs' best chance to get a leg up on their opponents, as the Warriors won the next three games handily to claim their third title in four years.

Afterward, with questions swirling about his future with the team, James revealed that he had played out the series with a broken right hand after punching a whiteboard in the aftermath of the Game 1 loss.

Los Angeles Lakers

On July 1, 2018, James announced that he was moving on to the next chapter of his career by signing a 4-year, $153.3 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, a storied franchise that counted Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson among its all-time greats.

The good vibes had worn off by midseason, as the Lakers sputtered through a 17-game stretch without their injured star.

With the team still struggling in late February 2019, James accused his teammates of losing focus over trade rumors, saying, "If you're still allowing distractions to affect the way you play, this is the wrong franchise to be a part of and you should just come in and be like, 'Listen, I can't do this.'"

When the Lakers were officially eliminated from playoff contention in March 2019, it snapped James' personal marks of 13 consecutive postseasons and eight straight NBA Finals appearances. Capping a difficult first season in Los Angeles, the Lakers announced that their star would miss the final six games because of his lingering groin injury.

Things got off to a much better start the following season, thanks in large part to the addition of athletic big man Anthony Davis to the roster. Spearheading the Lakers' rise to the top of the standings was James, who became the first player to record a triple-double against all 30 NBA teams in November 2019.

The following month, James added another accolade to his ever-growing list by earning AP Male Athlete of the Decade honors.

Championships and Rings

James participated in eight straight NBA championships from the 2010-11 season to the 2018-19 season. During that time, he captured three championship rings: twice with the Heat (2011-12 and 2012-13) and once with the Cavaliers (2015-16).

All-Star Games and MVPs

James was selected for the NBA All-Star Game for the first time in 2005 and would go on to earn a spot in the annual showcase in each of the next 15 seasons.

In January 2018, the NBA announced that James and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry had topped the ballots and would serve as captains for that year's All-Star Game.

In 2006, James was named the Most Valuable Player in the NBA All-Star Game, a feat he would repeat in 2008 and 2018. James has also been named NBA MVP four times, in seasons 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Stats and Points

In January 2018, at age 33, James surpassed Bryant as the youngest player to accumulate 30,000 career points and became the seventh player in NBA history to achieve that milestone. The feat put him just more than 8,000 points shy of Abdul-Jabbar's all-time record of 38,387 points.

In 2019, James surpassed Jordan's career tally of 32,292 points to move into fourth place on the all-time list. In January 2020, he eclipsed Bryant's total of 33,643 points to slide into third place, one night before his predecessor's shocking death in a helicopter accident.

After 16 NBA seasons, James' stats included regular season per-game averages of:

• 27.2 points
• 38.6 minutes
• 0.736 free-throw percentage
• 0.343 3-point field-goal percentage
• 0.504 field-goal percentage
• 1.2 offensive rebounds
• 6.2 defensive rebounds
• 7.2 assists
• 3.5 turnovers

Olympic Games

James competed on the U.S. Olympic basketball team during three Summer Olympic Games, in 2004, 2008 and 2012. James made his Olympic debut at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece. He and his teammates won bronze medals after defeating Lithuania. Argentina took home the gold after beating Italy in the finals.

In the summer of 2008, James traveled to Beijing, China, to play with the likes of Bryant, Jason Kidd and Dwyane Wade on the U.S. Olympic basketball team. This time around the U.S. team brought home the gold after defeating Spain in the final round.

James competed at his third Olympic Games in 2012, at the Summer Olympics in London, along with Durant, Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and several other top players. The U.S. basketball team took the gold medal — James' second consecutive Olympic gold.

Contract With Nike

In 2003, James signed several endorsement deals, including a deal with Nike for $90 million that could net him over $1 billion over his lifetime.

Other endorsements include Intel, Verizon, Coca-Cola, Beats by Dre and Kia Motors.

Salary and Earnings

In the 2016-17 season, James collected a $31 million salary, making him the third player to earn that much after Jordan and Bryant. The NBA superstar went on to sign a four-year, $153.3 million contract with the Lakers in July 2018. He’s also a co-owner of the production company SpringHill Entertainment and has invested in Blaze Pizza.

In February 2019, Forbes magazine's estimated James’ yearly earnings at $88.7 million, making him the NBA's highest-earning player for the fifth year in a row.

Wife and Kids

On January 1, 2012, James proposed to his high school sweetheart, Savannah Brinson. The couple married in a private ceremony with about 200 guests in San Diego on September 14, 2013.

James and Brinson have two sons and one daughter together. In October 2004, James welcomed his first son LeBron Jr. On June 14, 2007, Brinson gave birth to their second son, Bryce Maximus James. Their third child, daughter Zhuri James, was born on October 22, 2014.

LeBron James Family Foundation

Outside of the NBA, James has worked to help others. He established the LeBron James Family Foundation in 2004, along his mother Gloria, to help out children and single-parent families in need.

Among its many programs, the organization builds playgrounds in economically disadvantaged areas and hosts an annual bike-a-thon.

Outspoken Posts on Social Media

One of the world's most recognizable athletes, James hasn't been shy about expressing his views on social media. Among other issues, he displayed his support for Trayvon Martin after the teen's death in 2012, and he has clashed with U.S. President Donald Trump .

James waded into delicate territory in October 2019, after Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey posted a tweet in support of Hong Kong's pro-democracy protesters that ignited a Chinese media boycott of NBA preseason games in the country. James said he believed Morey was "misinformed" about the situation, although he later tweeted that he mainly took issue with the executive posting comments that could have exposed traveling players to danger.

The basketball superstar has also shown a playful side on social media, such as when he posted a picture of cartoon character Arthur clenching his first during the Cavaliers' slow start to the 2017-18 season.

'Space Jam 2'

James starred in Space Jam 2 , the 2021 sequel to the 1996 hit starring Jordan. "The Space Jam collaboration is so much more than just me and the Looney Tunes getting together and doing this movie,” James told The Hollywood Reporter .

“It's so much bigger. I'd just love for kids to understand how empowered they can feel and how empowered they can be if they don't just give up on their dreams."

QUICK FACTS

• Name: James
• Birth Year: 1984
• Birth date: December 30, 1984
• Birth State: Ohio
• Birth City: Akron
• Birth Country: United States
• Gender: Male
• Best Known For: LeBron James became an immediate star after skipping college to join the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. He led the Miami Heat to NBA titles in 2012 and 2013 and won another championship with Cleveland in 2016, before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.
• Astrological Sign: Capricorn
• St. Vincent-St. Mary High School
• Interesting Facts
• During the 2003-04 season, LeBron James became the first member of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the youngest NBA player in history to recieve the Rookie of the Year Award.
• LeBron James was one of only three rookies to average 20 points per game during the 2003-04 season. The other rookies to accomplish the feat were Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson.

We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us !

• I made a difficult decision to leave Cleveland but I understood what my future was about ... I knew we had a bright future [in Miami].
• I'm never in a defer mentality. I'm in attack mode. No matter how many weapons we have on the court, I'm still going to play my game.
• Sports carried me away from being in a gang, or being associated with drugs. Sports was my way out.
• It's not about the money. It's all about winning for me.
• I never feel sad [about not going to college]. But I do wish I could have been part of March Madness.
• Basketball is my life.
• We all prepare differently, but there's just one basketball on that court.
• We knew it wasn't going to be easy. We didn't want it to be easy. A lot of teams have won golds easy. We didn't want it that way.
• I don't judge my career by saying I want to be better than this person or that person at the end of my career because it's not possible. The only person on and off the court to satisfy is me.
• LeBron stays humble just by being LeBron.
• Why would you think he's coming back? People move from Cleveland to Miami every [expletive] day. They don't move from Miami to Cleveland.

The Biography.com staff is a team of people-obsessed and news-hungry editors with decades of collective experience. We have worked as daily newspaper reporters, major national magazine editors, and as editors-in-chief of regional media publications. Among our ranks are book authors and award-winning journalists. Our staff also works with freelance writers, researchers, and other contributors to produce the smart, compelling profiles and articles you see on our site. To meet the team, visit our About Us page: https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us

Basketball Players

Dennis Rodman

James Harden

Kobe Bryant

Stephen Curry

Kyrie Irving

Derrick Rose

Kevin Durant

Dwyane Wade

Shaquille O'Neal

Russell Westbrook

• Human Editing
• Free AI Essay Writer
• AI Outline Generator
• AI Paragraph Generator
• Paragraph Expander
• Essay Expander
• Literature Review Generator
• Research Paper Generator
• Thesis Generator
• Paraphrasing tool
• AI Rewording Tool
• AI Sentence Rewriter
• AI Rephraser
• AI Paragraph Rewriter
• Summarizing Tool
• AI Content Shortener
• Plagiarism Checker
• AI Detector
• AI Essay Checker
• Citation Generator
• Reference Finder
• Book Citation Generator
• Legal Citation Generator
• Journal Citation Generator
• Reference Citation Generator
• Scientific Citation Generator
• Source Citation Generator
• Website Citation Generator
• URL Citation Generator
• Proofreading Service
• Editing Service
• AI Writing Guides
• AI Detection Guides
• Citation Guides
• Grammar Guides
• Paraphrasing Guides
• Plagiarism Guides
• Summary Writing Guides
• STEM Guides
• Humanities Guides
• Language Learning Guides
• Coding Guides
• Top Lists and Recommendations
• AI Detectors
• AI Writing Services
• Coding Homework Help
• Citation Generators
• Editing Websites
• Essay Writing Websites
• Language Learning Websites
• Math Solvers
• Paraphrasers
• Plagiarism Checkers
• Reference Finders
• Spell Checkers
• Summarizers
• Tutoring Websites

Most Popular

Ai or not ai a student suspects one of their peer reviewer was a bot, how to summarize a research article, loose vs lose, how to cite a blog, apa paraphrasing, lebron james essay sample, example.

He was born in 1984, December 30, in Akron, Ohio. His mother, Gloria Marie James, was 16 years old at the time of his birth, while his father, Anthony McClelland, has a criminal record and was not present in his early life and now. As a single mother, Gloria, moved from apartment to apartment, ending up in Akron. She struggled to find a stable job. Eventually, worried about LeBron’s upbringing, she brought him to live with a local football coach named Frank Walker. LeBron was nine years old at the time, and the Walker introduced basketball to him (Sharp, Anne Wallace).

By the time he was in the fifth grade, LeBron was playing in an organized basketball team. Namely, he played for the Northwest Ohio Shooting Stars for the Amatuer Athletic Union. He made strong bonds with teammates Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, and Willie McGee. They had a lot of success at the local and national level while being on the team, and they decided they would all go to the same high school to remain as a team. Controversially, the four students chose to attend St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, which primarily was a white school, whereas LeBron and his friends were black (Nichols, Rachel).

It was obvious that LeBron was a natural, as even as a freshman, he dominated the high school circuit. In his first year, he averaged 21 points and 6 rebounds per game. The St. Vincent–St. Mary High School’s team, The Fighting Irish, went undefeated in the season, 27–0. This made a new record for the first high school boys basketball team in Ohio to go undefeated in a season. After this first year, Lebron was a sensation, and went into his sophomore a star. He did not disappoint the fans, with 25.2 points and 7.2 rebounds with 5.8 assists and 3.8 steals per game. For some games, bigger venues had to be booked to accommodate the amount of people who wanted to watch the games of the team. NBA scouts were already taking a keen notice of LeBron. That year, the team went 26–1, and LeBron was named “Ohio Mr. Basketball” and was chosen for the USA Today All-USA First Team. He was the first high school sophomore to do so (NBA.com: Prospect Profile: LeBron James).

Before entering his junior year of high school, LeBron was getting a lot of press. He was featured in the American basketball magazine Slam on the cover, and was called, “the best high school basketball player in America right now” (“Ohio Player”). LeBron also became the first high school basketball underclassmen to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. His junior year was spectacular as well, with an average of 29 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 3.3 steals per game. Again, he was crowned “Ohio Mr. Basketball” and selected for the USA Today All-USA First Team. In addition, he became the first junior ever to be named male basketball Gatorade National Player of the Year. However, his team did not do as well as in the previous two years, with a record of 23–4 (Sharp, Anne Wallace). This was a difficult time for him, as he was getting a lot of media attention and he did not know how to deal with it properly. He started to use marjuana as an anti-stress tool. To add to the anxiety, he wanted to enter the NBA draft early, but the NBA would not sway the rules for him, and he had to compete in his senior year in order to enter the NBA. Just a side note: LeBron also played football through his freshman to junior year, and also produced a good record (“LeBron’s Book Shows Struggle With Fame”).

His averages continued to make gains, with his senior year closing out at 1.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game. LeBron and the Fighting Irish played against many national teams, and some games were even televised as pay-per-view games due to LeBron’s fame. For a new record, Lebron was named “Ohio Mr. Basketball” and selected for the USA Today All-USA First Team for the third year in a row. Again, he was named Gatorade National Player of the Year. He participated in many end-of-the-year competitions for high school and officially entered the NBA draft. There were some issues during his senior year, though, with run-ins with the law. His mother gave him a gift of a Hummer through a loan based on his viability as a future NBA player. This was against the rules of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, but he was eventually cleared of all wrongdoing. Furthermore, he accepted gifts from fans who wanted him to pose for pictures with them. He was suspended for two games for this, but made an amazing comeback in the game after the suspension, scoring a high school career-high of 52 points (Bolch, Ben).

In the 2003 NBA Draft, he was the first overall pick. His hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, chose him. And the decision seemed to be a solid one: in his first NBA game, he scored 25 points against the Sacramento Kings, which set a record for the most points scored by a prep-to-pro player (“Expectations for James More than Met”). The rest, you can say, is history.

LeBron James might be the best basketball player of all time, if not the most talented. Coming from a mother without much of a home to give, he found wings in the home of a football coach. He played football and basketball throughout his school days, but excelled most in basketball. By the end of his freshman year in high school, he was already a local and even national star. And by the time he was a sophomore, it was clear he was going to be in the NBA. Through some legal issues, problems at home, and media attention, LeBron found the strength and focus to play to the best of his ability and became an international sensation in sports history.

This is an example of an expository essay. Most of the time, this type of texts requires a lot of thorough research. And gathering all of the facts can take quite some time as well. Spending so much effort on just one essay may be frustrating. Think about looking for the best essay writing service reviews – they have some information that can help make the creative process much easier.

Works Cited

Sharp, Anne Wallace. LeBron James. Lucent Books, 2008.

Nichols, Rachel. “LeBron James Opens up on His New School, the Lakers and Life’s Challenges.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 30 July 2018, www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24194051/lebron-james-discusses-opening-public-school-akron-move-los-angeles-lakers-nba.

NBA.com: Prospect Profile: LeBron James, www.nba.com/draft2003/profiles/JamesLeBron.html.

“Ohio Player.” SLAM, 30 Dec. 2014, www.slamonline.com/nba/ohio-player-lebron-james-first/.

“LeBron’s Book Shows Struggle With Fame.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 24 July 2009, www.cbsnews.com/news/lebrons-book-shows-struggle-with-fame/.

Bolch, Ben. “James Is Too Much for Westchester.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2003, www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-feb-09-sp-hslebron9-story.html.

“Expectations for James More than Met.” ESPN, ESPN Internet Ventures, 30 Oct. 2003, www.espn.com/nba/recap?id=231029023.

Follow us on Reddit for more insights and updates.

Comments (0)

Welcome to A*Help comments!

We’re all about debate and discussion at A*Help.

We value the diverse opinions of users, so you may find points of view that you don’t agree with. And that’s cool. However, there are certain things we’re not OK with: attempts to manipulate our data in any way, for example, or the posting of discriminative, offensive, hateful, or disparaging material.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More from Essay on Profile Examples and Samples

Nov 23 2023

Why Is Of Mice And Men Banned

Nov 07 2023

Pride and Prejudice Themes

May 10 2023

Remote Collaboration and Evidence Based Care Essay Sample, Example

Related writing guides, writing an expository essay.

Remember Me

What is your profession ? Student Teacher Writer Other

Forgotten Password?

Username or Email

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Square Feet

How LeBron James Uses His Influence to Improve Community Development

Mr. James has joined an expanding national movement that mixes community needs into the formula for socially responsible projects.

By Keith Schneider

AKRON, Ohio — Professional sports stars often use their prominence to influence public opinion and advocate change, including in real estate development. One standout is LeBron James , the Los Angeles Lakers forward and four-time National Basketball Association champion.

In Akron, Mr. James is building a model for advancing education and social assistance in the West Market Street neighborhood, where he was raised. A new school , three residential buildings and a sports-and-entertainment complex represent more than $20 million in investment by the LeBron James Family Foundation and its partners.

In building projects that serve the public interest, Mr. James has joined an expanding movement of developers around the country who mix new ingredients into the formula for socially responsible development. The term was initially defined by advances in design like energy efficiency, environmental safety and affordability. Developers now construct buildings and neighborhoods that make those assets and others — health care, recreation, good schools , safe streets — accessible to residents in neglected communities.

Examples are numerous. Among them is the East Harlem Center for Living and Learning, a mixed-use project on 104th Street in Manhattan. The $84 million building, completed in 2015, includes 89 affordable housing units, office space and the Dream Charter School for 500 students from kindergarten through the eighth grade. The project also includes a renovated public park.

“LeBron James is part of a movement of community revitalization,” said Jonathan F.P. Rose, president of Jonathan Rose Companies in New York, the center’s developer. “He’ll find the more he does, the more these pieces connect and make a difference.”

Other sports stars invest in struggling communities. Magic Johnson Enterprises, the former N.B.A. star’s company, has invested in movie theaters, Starbucks franchises and restaurants in underserved neighborhoods across the country. In 2015, Magic Johnson Enterprises joined with Loop Capital to form JLC Infrastructure to invest in urban transportation, utilities, communications and energy.

Mo Vaughn, who spent part of his baseball career with the New York Mets, is a co-founder of Omni New York, which specializes in buying and renovating apartment buildings for affordable housing in struggling neighborhoods in and outside the city.

Sports stars can leverage their personal prominence to help move projects along. When he was the mayor of Sacramento from 2008 to 2016, Kevin Johnson, a former N.B.A. All-Star, led the campaign to keep the Sacramento Kings in California’s capital. He worked closely with Vivek Ranadive, the team’s majority owner, to build a $500 million arena that is the centerpiece of the $1 billion mixed-use Downtown Commons, which turned empty central city blocks into an active center of entertainment.

Mr. James’s model of development, real estate authorities say, differs from those efforts because it relies on his stature to recruit public and private capital to embrace a suite of social goals, and then build projects to pursue them. The value proposition is to develop projects that help curb family disorder and instill learning, life and work skills so that underperforming children graduate from high school, attend college and have a successful career. The individual pieces, though, are owned and managed by different agencies.

“It’s a promising model for community redevelopment at a holistic level,” said Jeff Levine, a lecturer of economic development and planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “It delivers high-value development in places where there aren’t resources for people to do it themselves.”

The source of the idea, Mr. James says, is the uncertainty and disruption that he experienced early in his life, like when he missed 83 days of school in the fourth grade . That challenge and others he faced as an underprivileged child inform and guide the foundation’s development decisions.

“When we started this work in education with my foundation, we never dreamed we’d be owning buildings and developing new properties,” Mr. James said in an email. “As we dug deeper into the work, we learned what it takes to create real, visible change. And that’s listening to what our community needs and then rolling up our sleeves and getting to work.”

The foundation’s latest and largest project is the $2.875 million it paid in December to buy the Tangier, an entertainment and events center in Akron. Renovation of the 60,000-square-foot building, renamed House 330 , started in January and is expected to be completed next year.

The project will provide training and jobs for students interested in careers in food service, hospitality, management, maintenance, finance and other professions. It is also the first to develop a revenue stream for the foundation’s work, said Michele Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation.

House 330 is attracting prominent partners. JPMorgan Chase is opening an office there to provide families with financial advice and resources. The J.M. Smucker Company and Old El Paso, a General Mills brand of Tex-Mex foods, each donated $1 million for restaurants. Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation committed $1 million more to build a sports complex on the top level of the 500-space parking deck alongside the project.

Mr. James’s development career began five years ago when he recruited support from Akron Public Schools to start the I Promise School for underperforming elementary and middle school students . His foundation spent more than $2 million to renovate a former McDonald’s office building for the school. It opened in 2018, serves third through eighth graders and will reach its 720-student capacity in 2023.

The school inspired Cheryl L. Stephens, chief executive of the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, to get involved with the city and the foundation to build I Promise Housing, a $14.5 million, 50-unit affordable housing project that starts construction in the spring on 1.75 acres the city donated.

“He talks about inspiring people to do more,” Ms. Stephens said. “I thought we should do more. We should do affordable housing.”

I Promise Housing is close to I Promise Village, a 22-unit apartment building that provides temporary housing at no cost to families in crisis. It opened in July and includes space for social services and community events. Graduate Hotels, a Nashville developer, spent $850,000 in 2019 to buy the 98-year-old, four-story brick building. Ben Weprin , the company’s chief executive, then went to work with his staff to recruit suppliers and contractors to donate materials and labor to complete a total renovation and furnish the apartments.

The parent company of Graduate Hotels, AJ Capital Partners, donated the finished project to the foundation. After it opened, the foundation, which has nearly $5 million in assets, spent $52,500 to buy a house across the street. It is being renovated for use by Shannon Shippe, the foundation staff member who manages the housing and services program.

“The impact LeBron is having in Akron — it’s amazing,” Mr. Weprin said. “He’s doing this while he’s winning championships.”

Recognizing that his approach might have merit in other cities, Mr. James and the foundation staff convened a three-day “huddle” in Akron in October to describe the I Promise model to attendees. About 200 educators, philanthropists, activists, city leaders and development professionals showed up.

“This work requires a long-term investment, a lot of heart and a lot of hard work,” Mr. James said. “There are people across the country who are willing and want to be a part of that in their own community.”

Explore Our Business Coverage

Dive deeper into the people, issues and trends shaping the world of business..

Stopping a Huge Cyberattack?:  A Microsoft engineer noticed something was off on a piece of software he worked on. He soon discovered someone was probably trying to gain access to computers all over the world .

Hoping for an A.I. Productivity Boost:  Economists doubt that A.I. is already visible in productivity data. Big companies, however, talk often about adopting the technology to improve efficiency .

Cashing In on Graffiti:  Brands, developers and even officials are embracing the global appeal of street art , but the boom comes with questions about preserving a neighborhood’s cultural cachet.

Altering San Francisco’s Course:  The deep pockets of the tech investor Garry Tan are valued by his allies, but his pugnacious online habits  are creating plenty of enemies in the city he says he wants to save.

A C.E.O.’s Bold Claims:  Amira Yahyaoui, a human rights activist, promoted the success of her student aid start-up, Mos. Some of her statements do not add up .

Essay on Life by Lebron James

Coming up Lebron James did not live a typical life many others did but that never stirred him in the wrong direction or affected him negatively. James became great at a young age and this help build him into the person he is today. The life most athletes are living at the age 20,21,22, James was living at 18, and most people would think that’s too young to have millions considering teens aren’t all the way mature and may spend the money irresponsibly, but not for James.

Lebron James was born on December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio. Growing up in Akron, Lebron James was single-handedly raised by his mother Gloria Marie James. She was only 16 when she had Bron and to add on to that James and his mother moved around a lot, so it was hard for him to adjust to his environment. His father, Anthony McClelland, having an rough criminal record, was not in James’s life at all. This caused Lebron’s mother to begin dating more men in intentions of them playing as a father figure in James’s life, none of her boyfriends lived up to that responsibility, leaving her brother’s as the father figures in Lebron’s life. Jame’s mother had him live with Frank Walker who showed him the game of basketball at the age of 9. James began playing basketball at a young age and was considered talented by many.

James played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), an extra league for most sports usually, for good players that are trying to get looked at by scouts, basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars. After his AAU days instead of going to his local public high James took it a step further and went to a mostly white private school named, St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School. Many would say this is a better spot for an athlete considering private schools usually have better academic and athletic programs than public schools, and there is usually more scouting going on there and better competition.

As a freshman for St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School he started at small forward averaging 20 points per game and leading them to go undefeated and win the Division 3 championship. Michael Jordan was James’s childhood idol so after his first year of high school he took on the number 23 after Jordan. Throughout James’s high school career, he racked up many achievements and awards such as “Mr. Basketball” in Ohio, earning a spot on the All-USA First Team, named 2001-02 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year, and leading his team to consecutive championships. Also, was All-State honors in football as a wide receiver. Lebron quickly became one the most heard about players in high school, after his senior year he had been “Mr. Basketball” 3 years straight, had a few games televised, and been on the cover of ESPN magazines and Sports Illustrated.

James continued his greatness after high school skipping the collegiate level and going straight to the major leagues. This shows much value in James’s skill because most athlete’s go to college, after high school, to better themselves and prepare for the major league. But with James already being NBA bound, after high school, he did not need college to help improve his game. James was drafted number one overall pick to the Clevland Cavalries in the 2003. He quickly became greatest tacking on numerous of awards in just his first few years in the league, He was named rookie of the year, at 19, LeBron became the youngest member of the basketball squad in 2004 Athens Olympic, a year later making history again when he became the youngest player to score more than 50 points in one game. He was selected for the NBA All-Star game for the first time.

After that it was only up for Lebron, going for seven scoring titles, tying Wilt Chamberlin with that record, 4 MVP awards, 3 championship rings, and been on Team USA 3 summers. Also becoming the youngest player to be All-American in his second season. Its proven through these facts and statistics that James did not need college to help prepare him for the NBA, as he is racking up many accomplishments in the NBA as a teenager. Also, being the youngest NBA player to score 20,000 points, surpassing Kobe Bryant of the Lakers, who scored 20,00 when he was 29. This is not even half of Lebron’s attributes in the sports world, he has much more to add on to his resume.

So many people have respect for Lebron not only because the skill he possesses but because the person he is. James left Cleveland in 2010, went to Miami, won 2 championships with them and went back to his hometown Cleveland and won a championship there with them. This shows great character for James because most labeled him as a trader since he left his hometown to go play with better superstars, such a Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. So, James response to that was coming back to the team he got drafted by, his hometown, and win a championship for his city. He eventually left a year after winning a ring with them, but this time when he left the city respected him because he brought them a championship already and that’s what the city wanted.

To sum it all up, it’s clear to see James left his mark in the NBA at a young age and still doing it to this day, on his 15th season. His work on the court is not all that defines him, he also has his own school in Clevland Ohio. I Promise School, a school created from Lebron’s foundation, has free tuition, free food, free transportation, free bikes and helmet, access to food pantry for their family, and paid tuition for all graduates who plan to attend University of Akron. Also, James has something for the parents of the students as well, parents of students will get jobs and help getting their GEDs.

So, with all stuff he has done on the court he has also been as much of a prodigy off the court to his community. All this is important because most great athletes take time to develop and are only great in their field of work. While James came straight out of high school setting records and later started giving back to the community when he was able. This affects me so much in a positive way because it inspires me to do better and strive for greatness just so I can give back to those who lack the resources needed to succeed and are unable to see the bigger picture or the vision in life. Also, it gives me ideas on what’s a responsible thing to do, if I ever get a chance to and that is give back to the community I come from, because that can help some many people that you wouldn’t even think it would affect.

lebron james This affects me as a sport fan because this separates Lebron in many ways. It’s hard to determine the greatest player in the league right now due to so much talent each elite player possess but when a superstar contributes as much off the court as Lebron does, it easily separates them from the rest. Also, most elite players in the league now had to go throw college to help sculpt them into the player they are today, but not Lebron he came directly out of high school not even considered an adult yet, setting records in the league, easily separates himself from the rest.

To conclude, Lebron is just as great off the court as he is on the court, therefore he is different than the rest of the elite players in the league now. Despite Lebron’s upbringing he never let that shift him in the wrong direction, instead he used that as motivation to get to better place and be different. Players with Lebron skill is rare so it is good that he used his talent for good reasons. Also, he knows he is a role model to many so you never hear about him getting into any trouble or doing anything that could harm his publicity, because of this many people respect him.

Cite this page

Essay on Life by Lebron James. (2021, Jun 22). Retrieved from https://supremestudy.com/essay-on-life-by-lebron-james/

"Essay on Life by Lebron James." supremestudy.com , 22 Jun 2021, https://supremestudy.com/essay-on-life-by-lebron-james/

supremestudy.com. (2021). Essay on Life by Lebron James . [Online]. Available at: https://supremestudy.com/essay-on-life-by-lebron-james/ [Accessed: 6 Apr. 2024]

"Essay on Life by Lebron James." supremestudy.com, Jun 22, 2021. Accessed April 6, 2024. https://supremestudy.com/essay-on-life-by-lebron-james/

"Essay on Life by Lebron James," supremestudy.com , 22-Jun-2021. [Online]. Available: https://supremestudy.com/essay-on-life-by-lebron-james/ . [Accessed: 6-Apr-2024]

supremestudy.com. (2021). Essay on Life by Lebron James . [Online]. Available at: https://supremestudy.com/essay-on-life-by-lebron-james/ [Accessed: 6-Apr-2024]

Essay on Life by Lebron James. (2021, Jun 22). Retrieved April 6, 2024 , from https://supremestudy.com/essay-on-life-by-lebron-james/

This paper was written and submitted by a fellow student

Our verified experts write your 100% original paper on any topic

Having doubts about how to write your paper correctly?

Our editors will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Leave your email and we will send a sample to you.

Please check your inbox

Sorry, copying content is not allowed on this website

Please indicate where to send you the sample.