LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James Sr. (/ləˈbrɒn/; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player widely considered one of the greatest players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history. Often compared to Michael Jordan in debates about the greatest basketball player of all time, James has earned the nickname "King James" through his exceptional achievements and longevity in the sport.
Early Life and High School Career
Born in Akron, Ohio, to a 16-year-old single mother Gloria Marie James, LeBron faced significant hardships during his early years. With his father Anthony McClelland absent and his mother struggling to find steady work, James moved frequently between apartments in Akron's poorer neighborhoods. At age nine, he was introduced to basketball by Frank Walker, a local youth football coach who took James into his family to provide a more stable environment.
James attended St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, where he quickly emerged as a basketball prodigy. As a freshman, he averaged 18 points per game and led his team to a perfect 27-0 record and Division III state championship. His reputation grew rapidly, and by his junior year, he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated - the first high school basketball underclassman to do so. Throughout his high school career, James accumulated numerous accolades, including three Ohio Mr. Basketball awards, two Gatorade National Player of the Year awards, and three USA Today All-USA First Team selections.
Professional Career
Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-2010)
Selected first overall by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA draft, James made an immediate impact, winning Rookie of the Year while averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. Over his first stint with the Cavaliers, he transformed the franchise from a lottery team into a championship contender, leading them to their first NBA Finals appearance in 2007.
During this period, James won his first two MVP awards (2009, 2010) and established himself as the league's premier player. He averaged 27.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game during his initial tenure with Cleveland.
Miami Heat (2010-2014)
In 2010, James made the controversial decision to join the Miami Heat, announcing his choice on a televised special titled "The Decision." Teaming up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, James reached four consecutive NBA Finals with the Heat, winning championships in 2012 and 2013. During this period, he won two additional MVP awards and two Finals MVP awards, while developing a more complete game, particularly in the post.
Return to Cleveland (2014-2018)
James returned to Cleveland in 2014, joining forces with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. The highlight of his second Cavaliers stint came in 2016 when he led the team to a historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the 73-win Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, delivering Cleveland's first professional sports championship in 52 years. This period also saw James continue to excel individually, making four more Finals appearances and further cementing his legacy.
Los Angeles Lakers (2018-present)
In 2018, James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, bringing his talents to the Western Conference for the first time. Despite missing the playoffs in his first season due to injury, he led the Lakers to their 17th championship in 2020 within the NBA Bubble, earning his fourth NBA championship and Finals MVP award. This achievement made him the first player to win Finals MVP with three different franchises.
On February 7, 2023, James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, setting a new league record. In 2024, he made history again by becoming part of the first father-son duo in NBA history, playing alongside his son Bronny with the Lakers.
Playing Style and Impact
Standing 6 feet 9 inches (2.06 m) and weighing 250 pounds (113 kg), James has revolutionized basketball with his unique combination of size, speed, and skill. His playing style, characterized by exceptional athleticism and versatility, has drawn comparisons to legends like Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. Known for his high basketball IQ and passing ability, James has consistently ranked among the league's leaders in both scoring and assists.
Throughout his career, James has averaged 27.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, showcasing remarkable consistency and durability. He has earned multiple records and accolades, including:
- Four NBA championships (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020)
- Four NBA Finals MVP awards
- Four regular season MVP awards
- Twenty NBA All-Star selections (record)
- Thirteen All-NBA First Team selections
- NBA all-time leading scorer
- First player to accumulate 10,000 career points, rebounds, and assists
Off-Court Impact and Business Ventures
James has leveraged his basketball success into significant business and philanthropic ventures. He became the first active NBA player to achieve billionaire status, according to Forbes in 2023. His business portfolio includes:
- The LeBron James Family Foundation, which opened the I Promise School in Akron
- SpringHill Entertainment production company
- Part ownership in various sports teams including Liverpool F.C. and the Boston Red Sox
- Major endorsement deals with companies like Nike, AT&T, and PepsiCo
James has also been an influential voice on social and political issues, often speaking out on matters of racial justice and social equality. He has established himself as more than an athlete, using his platform to affect change in education, social justice, and community development.
Personal Life
James married his high school sweetheart, Savannah James, in 2013. They have three children: sons Bronny and Bryce, and daughter Zhuri. The family maintains homes in both Los Angeles and Akron. James is known for his commitment to fitness and health, reportedly spending $1.5 million annually on body maintenance and recovery.
Legacy
LeBron James's impact on basketball extends beyond his statistical achievements. He has redefined player empowerment in the NBA, influenced how players approach free agency, and demonstrated how athletes can leverage their influence for social change. His longevity, versatility, and consistent excellence have established him as one of the most significant figures in basketball history, with debates about his place among the all-time greats continuing as his career progresses.
His unprecedented accomplishments, combined with his off-court influence and business success, have created a legacy that transcends sports, making him one of the most influential athletes in history. As he continues to perform at an elite level well into his thirties, James continues to add to his already remarkable legacy in the sport.
NBA career statistics
| 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 |
| † | Won an NBA championship | * | Led the league | ‡ | NBA record |
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 | 42.3* | .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 |
| 2023–24 | L.A. Lakers | 71 | 71 | 35.3 | .540 | .410 | .750 | 7.3 | 8.3 | 1.3 | .5 | 25.7 |
| Career | 1,492 | 1,490‡ | 37.9 | .506 | .348 | .736 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 1.5 | .7 | 27.1 | |
| All-Star | 20‡ | 20‡ | 26.8 | .513 | .297 | .725 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 1.1 | .4 | 21.7 | |
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 |
| 2024 | L.A. Lakers | 1 | 1 | 40.9 | .300 | .200 | 1.000 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 23.0 |
| Career | 3 | 3 | 40.4 | .431 | .400 | .864 | 10.0 | 8.3 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 25.0 | |
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 | 44.6 | .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 | 42.8 | .500 | .259 | .739 | 9.7 | 5.6 | 1.9 | .7 | 30.3 |
| 2013† | Miami | 23 | 23 | 41.8 | .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 |
| 2024 | L.A. Lakers | 5 | 5 | 40.8 | .566 | .385 | .739 | 6.8 | 8.8 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 27.8 |
| Career | 287‡ | 287‡ | 41.3 | .497 | .332 | .741 | 9.0 | 7.2 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 28.4 | |
Awards and honors
Main article: List of career achievements by LeBron James
- NBA
- 4× 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
- 20× NBA All-Star: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2006, 2008, 2018
- 20× 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
- 4× Third team: 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024
- 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
- USA Basketball
- 3× Olympic Gold Medal winner: 2008, 2012, 2024
- 2004 Olympic Bronze Medal winner
- FIBA Men's Olympics Most Valuable Player: 2024
- FIBA Men's Olympics All-Star Five: 2024
- 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)
- High school
- 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
- 2× USA Today High School Player of the Year 2002, 2003
- 3× Ohio Mr. Basketball: 2001, 2002, 2003
- 3× 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
- Media
- AP Athlete of the Decade (2010s)
- 4× AP Athlete of the Year (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020)
- 3× Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2012, 2016, 2020)
- 2012 Sporting News Athlete of the Year
- 3× 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)
- 9× BET Sportsman of the Year Award winner
- 2020 Time Athlete of the Year
- Co-flag bearer for the United States at the 2024 Summer Olympics' opening ceremony with Coco Gauff
- NAACP Image Awards
- 2017 Jackie Robinson Award
- 2021 President's Award
- Sports Emmy Awards
- 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)
- State/Local
- 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 |