LeBron James was born on December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio to Gloria James. His father was not involved in his life. Growing up, LeBron’s family moved frequently and he missed a lot of school. However, he excelled at basketball from an early age.
LeBron attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, where he made a big splash on the basketball team right away. As a freshman, he averaged 21 points per game. Over the next three years, LeBron led St. Vincent-St. Mary to three state titles and emerged as a highly touted NBA prospect. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated in February 2002 with the headline “The Chosen One.”
High School Accomplishments and Awards
- 3x Ohio Mr. Basketball: 2001-2003
- Naismith Prep Player of the Year: 2003
- 3x USA Today All-USA First Team: 2001-2003
- 2x Gatorade National Player of the Year: 2002, 2003
NBA Career
LeBron was selected by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft. He immediately became the face of the franchise and was named the 2004 NBA Rookie of the Year after averaging 20.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Over the next few years, LeBron established himself as one of the premier players in the NBA, leading the Cavaliers to the playoffs every year. However, the team struggled to find consistent success in the postseason, losing in the NBA Finals in 2007.
Achievements with Cavaliers:
- NBA Rookie of the Year: 2004
- NBA scoring champion: 2008
- 7x NBA All-Star: 2005-2011
- 7x All-NBA selection:
- 2x First Team: 2006, 2008
- 2x Second Team: 2005, 2007
- 3x Third Team: 2009, 2010, 2011
- Led Cavaliers to NBA Finals in 2007
Miami Heat (2010-2014)
In 2010, LeBron became a free agent and made the controversial decision to take his talents to South Beach, joining Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat. This “Big Three” led the Heat to four NBA Finals appearances and two championships in 2012 and 2013. LeBron won his first two NBA titles and two NBA Finals MVP awards with Miami.
Achievements with Heat:
- 2x NBA champion: 2012, 2013
- 2x NBA Finals MVP: 2012, 2013
- 4x NBA MVP: 2009-2013
- 4x NBA All-Star: 2011-2014
- 2x NBA scoring champion: 2012, 2013
Return to Cavaliers (2014-2018)
After achieving success in Miami, LeBron returned to the Cavaliers in 2014, hoping to bring a championship to his hometown team. He delivered on that promise in 2016 when the Cavaliers overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, ending the city of Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought.
Achievements in Second Stint with Cavaliers:
- NBA champion: 2016
- NBA Finals MVP: 2016
- 3x NBA All-Star: 2015-2018
- All-NBA First Team: 2015-2018
Los Angeles Lakers (2018-Present)
In 2018, LeBron signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. He led the Lakers to the NBA Finals in 2020, winning his 4th championship and 4th Finals MVP award. At age 35, he showed he was still capable of performing at an elite level.
Achievements with Lakers:
- NBA champion: 2020
- NBA Finals MVP: 2020
- 4x NBA All-Star: 2018-2021
- 2x All-NBA First Team: 2018, 2020
- NBA assists leader: 2020
Career Statistics and Records
LeBron James has put together one of the most impressive statistical resumes in NBA history:
- 4x NBA champion
- 4x NBA Finals MVP (Tied-most all-time)
- 4x NBA MVP (Tied-3rd most all-time)
- 18x NBA All-Star (Most all-time)
- 3x NBA All-Star Game MVP (2nd-most all-time)
- 13x All-NBA First Team (Most all-time)
- NBA Rookie of the Year
- 3rd all-time points leader
- 8th all-time assists leader
- Holds numerous Cavaliers and Heat franchise records
In addition, LeBron has been extremely durable, playing over 1200 career games so far without major injury. He has been the definition of consistency and excellence throughout his career.
LeBron’s Career NBA Statistics
| Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Points | 35,367 |
| Rebounds | 9,695 |
| Assists | 9,696 |
| Player Efficiency Rating | 27.1 |
| Field Goal % | 50.4% |
| 3-Point % | 34.6% |
| Free Throw % | 73.4% |
| Triple-Doubles | 98 |
| Games Played | 1,260 |
LeBron James’ Legacy
LeBron James’ illustrious career has firmly cemented his legacy as one of the greatest NBA players of all time. Some of his key achievements include:
- One of only four players to win NBA Finals MVP with three different teams
- First player in NBA history to win NBA championship, Finals MVP, and league MVP in the same year multiple times
- 4th player to win 4 NBA MVP awards, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell
- 3rd all-time in career points and on pace to become the NBA’s scoring king
- Most consecutive NBA Finals appearances since Bill Russell’s Celtics dynasty in the 1960s
LeBron has lived up to the incredible hype that surrounded him coming out of high school and announced himself to the NBA as “The Chosen One.” He is considered by many to be the face of the league and one of the most recognizable American athletes around the globe.
While championship success eluded him early on, LeBron’s sustained excellence has allowed him to emerge as one of the defining players in basketball history. His unprecedented versatility as a scorer, playmaker, and defender make him a true basketball unicorn that the league has rarely seen before.
As LeBron continues his historic 20-year career, he has cemented a reputation as a consummate professional off the court as well. His I Promise School and other philanthropic initiatives have demonstrated a commitment to lifting up communities and creating opportunities for youth.
LeBron James’ basketball brilliance, global iconic status, and community leadership make him one of the most legendary figures in sports. His sustained prime over nearly two decades is a testament to his dedication to greatness and his basketball legacy is all but set in stone as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Frequently Asked Questions About LeBron James
When and where was LeBron James born?
LeBron James was born on December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio. He was raised by his mother Gloria James, as his father was not involved in his life.
How many NBA championships has LeBron James won?
LeBron James has won 4 NBA championships over the course of his legendary career. He won back-to-back titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013. He led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 championship, delivering on his promise to bring a title to his hometown team. And in 2020, he won his 4th ring with the Los Angeles Lakers.
What was LeBron’s famous decision in 2010?
In 2010, LeBron was a free agent and made the controversial decision to “take his talents to South Beach” and join Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat. This move, known as “The Decision,” was announced in a live ESPN special and drew intense criticism from those who felt he was taking the easy route by linking up with other stars in Miami.
How many MVP awards has LeBron James won?
LeBron James has won the NBA MVP award 4 times in his career (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013). This puts him in elite company with Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell as the only players to win 4 NBA MVPs.
What high school did LeBron James attend?
LeBron attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. He had a prolific high school career, winning two Gatorade National Player of the Year awards and emerging as a future #1 draft pick.
How many NBA Finals has LeBron appeared in?
LeBron James has appeared in 10 NBA Finals in his career, including 8 consecutive Finals appearances from 2011 to 2018. This is tied for 3rd most NBA Finals appearances all-time behind Bill Russell and Sam Jones.