LeBron James is arguably the best basketball player of his generation and certainly ranks as one of the best of all time. His meteoric rise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the best stories you’ll find in sports.
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
From a promising young player as a student at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School to the top of the NBA, here’s everything you need to know about his life and career.
Quick Facts:
Full Name: LeBron Raymone James
Nickname: King James, The Akron Hammer, The L-Train
Date Of Birth: 30 December 1984
Age: 38
Nationality: American
Profession: Basketballer
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Height: 2.06m or 6’9
Weight: 113 kg
Position: Small Forward/power forward
Twitter: @KingJames
Facebook: LeBron James
Instagram: @kingjames
Net Worth: $ 1 billion
Marital Status: Married
LeBron James Early Life
What Was The Early Life Of LeBron James Like?
LeBron James’ full name is LeBron Raymone James. He was born on 30 December 1984 in Akron, Ohio to his father Anthony McClelland and Gloria Marie James. LeBron didn’t have an easy childhood as his father was incarcerated. He was raised by his mother.
When Did LeBron James Start Playing Basketball?
LeBron started out at the age of nine and his talent even then was obvious. In high school, he guided his team to multiple championships and won several awards.
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
He was featured on USA Today’s All USA First Team, named the PARADE magazine’s High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year.
As a high school basketball player, LeBron scored 2, 657 points, 892 rebounds, and 523 assists.
LeBron James’ Career
When Did LeBron James Start Playing In The NBA?
After a successful stint in high school, LeBron decided to become a professional basketballer and after his exploits, he didn’t need to do much as he was named the first pick in the 2003 NBA draft. Cleveland Cavaliers signed him.
People Also Read: A Highlight of Black Female Basketball Coaches in the NCAA Tournament
Which Teams Has LeBron James Played For?
Cleveland Cavaliers (2003 to 2010)
There’s a reason he was nicknamed “The Chosen One” and this became apparent from his first season in the league. He was named Rookie Of The Year after a stellar season that saw him score an average of 20 points per game.
This score went up by the season as he averaged 27.2 and 50 in his third season, which was his highest during his time with Cleveland. Despite his amazing performances, he failed to win the NBA Championship with the Cavaliers, whom he left after the 2010 season to join the Miami Heat.
Miami Heat (2010 to 2014)
His move to Miami Heat drew sharp criticism, so much so that the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers wrote an open letter in which he described him as selfish and a betrayer. That didn’t faze him as he wrapped up his first campaign with the Heats with an average of 26.7 points per game.
The 2012 season was one of his most successful as he lifted the NBA Championship for the first time and went on to repeat the feat in the 2013 campaign. Unfortunately, he didn’t lift it for a third time when Miami Heat played in the championship final against the San Antonio Spurs in what turned out to be his last season there.
People Also Read: How Many Black Head Coaches Are in the NFL? – NFL’s Lack of Diversity
Return To Cleveland Cavaliers (2014 to 2018)
King James was back where he started, but this time round, things were a bit different. He had to contend with injuries that saw him miss out on up to 13 games. Nonetheless, he led them to the NBA finals but lost to Golden State Warriors.
The following season, LeBron and the Cavs made it back to the final, and in what is perhaps one of the biggest moments in NBA history, he helped overturn a 3-1 deficit to win the team’s first-ever Championships. As expected, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the Year.
The Cavs unsuccessfully challenged the Golden State Warriors in the 2018 championships finals.
Los Angeles Lakers (2018 to Present)
LeBron joined the LA Lakers but the good times paused momentarily after he suffered from a series of injuries. That notwithstanding, he came back, and as he’s done with the other teams in the league, he led the Lakers to another NBA Championship in 2020, his 4th and the teams’ 17th.
Los Angeles Lakers will still harbor hopes for more titles, at least until 2025 when LeBron James’ contract runs out. He signed a two-year extension in August 2022 worth $97.1 million.
How Many Championship Rings Has LeBron James Won?
LeBron James has won four championship rings with three different teams – Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers.
What Awards Has LeBron James’ Won?
LeBron James’ trophy cabinet is overflowing. He’s won everything there is to win in the game from the Most Valuable Player award to the NBA Championship ring, USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year, listed in the NBA First Team, NBA All-Star, and NBA All-Defensive First Team, among other awards.
LeBron James’ Relationship
Is LeBron James’ Married?
LeBron James tied the knot to his longtime girlfriend Savannah Brinson in 2013. The couple is blessed with three kids, one daughter and two sons. LeBron Jnr is the first child, Bryce Maximus James is the second, and Zhuri James is the third.
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
LeBron James’ Net Worth
How Rich Is LeBron James?
LeBron James’ contract extension in 2022 made him the highest-paid player in NBA history. He signed a two-year deal worth $97.1 million.
His total net worth, according to Forbes, is $ 1 billion, which he makes from his career as a professional basketballer, investments, and endorsements.
