LeBron James (born December 30 1984) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Commonly nicknamed "King James" and "The Chosen One", the Akron, Ohio-born James was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA star while still in high school, and was named Ohio's "Mr. Basketball" three times. At the age of 18, he was selected with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers.

Before his NBA debut, James signed an unprecedented US$90 million shoe contract with Nike. He has since set numerous youngest player records. In his first season, he received the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and in the following three seasons received All-NBA and All-Star honors. He led the Cavaliers to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2006 and 2007; the latter year the team advanced to the Conference Finals for the first time since 1992 and the NBA Finals for the first time in Cleveland's history.

James is listed as a small forward, but can also play point guard and shooting guard. This versatility has led to his unofficial classification as a "point forward". James was a member of the United States men's national basketball team that won the bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, and he finished second in the league Most Valuable Player balloting in 2006.

LeBron James was born an only child in a low-income area of Akron, Ohio to Gloria James on December 30, 1984. Gloria James was around the age of 16 at the time and just 6 months shy of graduating from high school. Moving frequently from one home to another, situations began to somewhat improve for James when his mother began a relationship with Eddie Jackson. James did not have much contact with his biological father and Jackson became a father figure to him. He regularly attended James' high school basketball games. one of his friends he saw was Yousouf Cisse

James attended St. Vincent - St. Mary High School (SVSM) in Akron, Ohio and was named the starting point guard for the Fighting Irish. He averaged 18 points and 6.2 rebounds, and led the team to a 27–0 record, en route to the Division III state title.

In his sophomore year, James averaged 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.8 steals. He led the team to a 26–1 record and Division III state title for the second straight season. He was the first sophomore to be named Ohio's "Mr. Basketball" and also became the first sophomore player ever selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team.

As an avid football player, James was also named First-Team All-State as a wide receiver. However, injury concerns led James to concentrate solely on basketball.

In James' junior year his stats improved again. He averaged 29.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.3 steals and was again named Mr. Basketball of Ohio. He also earned a spot on the All-USA First Team, and was named the 2001-02 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year. It was at this time that his nickname "King" James would become a household staple in Ohio. LeBron James appeared in SLAM Magazine, which began his nationwide exposure. However, the St. Vincent-St. Mary basketball team did not defend its state title when increased enrollment forced the team to move up to the more challenging Division II (Ohio high school basketball has four divisions based on annual enrollment figures) and lost to Cincinnati Roger Bacon High School. James attempted to declare for the NBA Draft after the season ended, petitioning for an adjustment to the NBA's draft eligibility rules which, at the time, required prospective players to have at least completed high school. The petition was unsuccessful, but it led to an unprecedented level of attention on him as he entered his senior year. By then, James had already appeared on the covers of Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magazine. His popularity forced his team to move their practices from the school gym to the nearby James A. Rhodes Arena at the University of Akron. NBA stars such as Shaquille O'Neal attended the games, and a few of James's high school games were even televised nationally on ESPN2 and regionally on pay-per-view.

Gloria James created a firestorm of controversy when she was allowed to use her son's future earning power as collateral to secure a bank loan to buy an $80,000 Hummer H2 for her son's 18th birthday. The event prompted an investigation by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). Under the OHSAA guidelines, no amateur may accept any gift valued over $100 as a reward for athletic performance. When James later accepted two throwback basketball jerseys worth $845 from NEXT, an urban clothing store in Shaker Square, in exchange for his posing for pictures to be displayed on the store's walls, OHSAA stripped him of his eligibility. James appealed and a judge blocked the ruling, reducing the penalty to a two-game suspension and allowing him to play the remainder of the season. However, James's team was forced to forfeit one of their wins as a result. That forfeit loss was the team's only official loss that season.

Despite the distractions, the Irish won a third state title, and James averaged 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.4 steals. James was named to the All-USA First Team, and for an unprecedented third time, was selected as Mr. Basketball of Ohio. He earned MVP honors at the McDonald's All-American Game, the EA Sports Roundball Classic, and the Jordan Capital Classic. Although it was a foregone conclusion, by participating in more than two high school all-star events, James officially lost his NCAA eligibility.

James finished his high school career with 2,657 points, 892 rebounds and 523 assists.

Facing the Sacramento Kings in his first NBA game, James recorded 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals and shooting 60% from the field. After recording a season-high 41 points against the New Jersey Nets, James became the youngest player in league history to score 40 points in a game. He averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game for the season, and was named Rookie of the Year; becoming the first Cavalier and youngest NBA player to ever receive the award. He joined Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan as the only three players in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in their rookie season. The Cavaliers improved by 18 wins and concluded the regular season with a 35–47 record, but failed to make the playoffs.

In the 2004-05 season, James was selected to his first NBA All-Star Game and recorded 13 points, 6 assists, and 8 rebounds, as the Eastern All-Stars defeated the Western All-Stars 125–115. During the season, James became the youngest player in league history to register a triple-double, score 50 points in a game, and make the All-NBA Team. He averaged 27.2 points, 7.2 assists, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game. However, the Cavaliers failed to reach the playoffs again and finished with a 42–40 regular season record.

In the 2005-06 season, James was elected to his second straight All-Star Game appearance and led the Eastern All-Stars to a 122–120 victory, with 29 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. He became the youngest All-Star MVP at 21 years, 51 days. He was named NBA Player of the Week for an unprecedented three consecutive weeks and concluded the season with five honors. He scored 35 or more points in nine consecutive games and joined Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as the only players since 1970 to accomplish the feat. For the season, James averaged 31.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, and became the youngest player in NBA history to average at least 30 points. He also became the fourth player in NBA history to average more than 30 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in a single season. The Cavaliers made the playoffs for the first time since 1998, and improved from a record of 17–65 in 2002-03 to 50–32 in 2005-06.

Following the regular season, James was named as one of the top candidates for the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. Although he finished second to Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns in MVP voting, he was awarded co-MVP honors with Nash by The Sporting News; an award given by the publication that is based on the voting of thirty NBA general managers.

James made his playoff debut against the Washington Wizards. He recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, as the Cavaliers defeated the Wizards 97–86. He joined Johnny McCarthy and Magic Johnson as the only players in NBA history to register a triple-double in their playoff debut. In Game 3, he registered 41 points and became the first player in NBA history to score 40 points in their first playoff road game. For the series, James averaged 35.7 points, as the Cavaliers defeated the Wizards in six games. In the second round of the playoffs, James led the Cavaliers to a 3–2 series lead over the defending Eastern Conference champion and divisional rival Detroit Pistons. The Pistons, however, eliminated the Cavs by winning the final two games. James averaged 30.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in the playoffs.

At the end of the season, James negotiated a three year contract extension, with a player option for a fourth year. The contract is worth US$60 million and begins at the start of the 2007-08 NBA season. Although it is for fewer years and less money than the maximum he could sign, it allows him the option of seeking a new contract worth more money as an unrestricted free agent following the 2010 season.

James was elected to his third consecutive All-Star game appearance during the 2006-07 season. He played a game high 32 minutes and finished with 28 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. In the regular season, the Cavaliers tied the previous season's record with 50 wins and clinched the second seed of the Eastern Conference on the last day of the season. For the season, James averaged 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. LeBron started the season with a 38 point, 5 assist, and 8 rebound performance in the 94-93 win against the Boston Celtics in November. LeBron's best month came in March, when he averaged 30.3 points per game, 7.0 assists per game, and 6.7 rebounds per game as the Cavs went 11-5 for the month. At the end of the season, he joined Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to average 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists for three consecutive years.

In the first round of the playoffs, James led the Cavaliers to their first sweep in franchise history over the Washington Wizards in four games. It was also the first time the franchise has won consecutive road playoff games. For the series, James averaged 27.8 points, 7.5 assists, and 8.5 rebounds. In the second round of the playoffs, James led the Cavaliers to a 4–2 series victory over the New Jersey Nets. He averaged 25.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.6 assists in the series, as the Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 15 years.

James and the Cavaliers started the Conference Finals 0-2. In Game 3 with the Cavs up 84-82, James hit a 14 foot jumper to seal the game and finished the game with 32 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. In Game 4, James hit two free throws to seal the game again. James had 25 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.

In Game 5, James scored 48 points, had 9 rebounds and 7 assists; including 29 of Cleveland's last 30 points, all coming after the six minute mark in the fourth quarter, and the team's last 25 points (franchise record) in Cleveland's double-overtime Game 5 victory. James was the only player to score for the Cavaliers in the two overtimes played. NBA analyst Marv Albert referred to James's performance as "one of the greatest performances in NBA history." The 48 points set a Cavaliers record for points scored by a player in a playoff game.

James scored only 20 points in Game 6, but lead Cleveland to a 98-82 win and their first trip to the NBA Finals in franchise history, against the San Antonio Spurs.

In the 2007 NBA Finals, James and the Cavaliers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs, who earned their fourth title in nine years.

After his rookie season, James played on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team in Athens, Greece, where the United States won the bronze medal in Men's Basketball. It was the first time a U.S. Olympic team with NBA players failed to win the gold medal. Limited to 14.6 minutes per game, James averaged just 5.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. James also competed in the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan and averaged 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. However, the team finished with an 8–1 season record, and was again awarded the bronze medal.

James was named as one of three captains for the U.S. Men's Basketball National Team from 2006–2008, alongside Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. After failing to win the 2006 World Championships, the team competed at the 2007 Tournament of Americas Olympic Qualifiers to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. During the gold medal game against Argentina, James recorded 31 points, the most by an American in an Olympic qualifier, as the United States captured gold medal honors.

James has established himself as a legitimate triple-double threat and has averaged 26.7 points, 6.4 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game for his career. As of the 2006-07 season, he has recorded twelve triple-doubles in his career, with ten in the regular season and two in the postseason. On offense, James utilizes his quickness, size, and strength to get past defenders. When penetrating to the basket James exhibits exceptional body control, adjusting his shot in mid-air according to the defense, allowing him to absorb contact and finish at the basket. In the 2005-06 season, he led the league in completed traditional three point plays. He is a solid rebounder who regularly ranks among the league leaders in rebounds for the small forward position. His overall skill sets and on-court play has led to many comparisons to NBA legends Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan.

Although James exhibits exceptional offensive ability, he has yet to be featured on the NBA All-Defensive Team and has struggled with his free throw shooting — he averaged a subpar .698 free throw accuracy in the 2006-07 season.

James has two children with his high school sweetheart, Savannah Brinson. The first, named LeBron James Jr., was born on October 6, 2004. The second, Bryce Maximus James, was born on Thursday, June 14, 2007. During his sophomore year, he was named First Team-All State as a wide receiver, and in his junior year he helped lead St. Vincent - St. Mary High School to the state semifinals in football. As a freshman playing basketball, James wore jersey number 32 before adopting his current number 23 as a tribute to his role model, Michael Jordan.

Despite being compared to players such as Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, and Magic Johnson, James considers Penny Hardaway as the player whose talents are most similar to his. "Penny sees the whole floor and can score," James said. "He's still one of my favorite players of all-time."

James has stated he wants to be the first billionaire athlete and a global icon. He has a number of endorsement contracts with Nike, Sprite, Powerade, Bubblicious, and Upper Deck. With Nike LeBron has released six signature shoe styles. He has acted in a series of commercials called "The LeBrons" also produced by Nike.

During the 2007 NBA Playoffs, James drew criticism when he declined to sign a petition started by his teammate, Ira Newble, regarding the Chinese government's involvement in the ongoing conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan.

On July 11, 2007, James along with comedian Jimmy Kimmel, hosted the 2007 ESPY Awards. The show aired on July 15, 2007. LeBron was nominated for three ESPYs. His nominations were for Best Male Athlete, Best NBA Player (winner), and for Best Record Breaking Performance. The Record Breaking performance was when he scored 48 points in Game 5 of the 2007 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. In addition, James performed a parody of the Bobby Brown song My Prerogative.

During the 2007-08 offseason, James received Lasik eye surgery to improve his vision. On October 4, 2007, James appeared at Jacobs Field for Game 1 of the 2007 American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians, wearing a Yankees hat. James did admit that he is a Yankees fan. Because of this, James received criticism from some Indians fans who were also Cavaliers fans.

TD = Triple-doubles

MVP = Most Valuable Player voting

* NBA Rookie of the Year: 2004 * NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2004 * NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2006 * 3-time NBA All-Star: 2005, 2006, 2007 * 3-time All-NBA: ** First Team: 2006 ** Second Team: 2005, 2007 * Bronze medal with Team USA, 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. * Bronze medal with Team USA, 2006 FIBA World Championships. * 2007 NBA Eastern Conference Champions with the Cavaliers * '''Gold medal with Team USA, 2007 FIBA Americas <br style="clear:both;"/>

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*Official Website *LeBron James: NBA.com Profile * * *NBA Draft Profile * U.S. Olympic Team bio

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