Name: LeBron James
Born: December 30, 1984 in Akron, OH
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: Small Forward
Height: 6'8"
Weight: 240 lbs.
Nicknames: LBJ, King James, The Chosen One
High School: Saint Vincent-Saint Mary's in Akron, OH
College: None
Drafted: 2003; 1st round, 1st pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Teams Played For In Career:
- Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-Present)
MAJOR AWARDS AND HONORS:
Rookie of the Year
- 2003-04 NBA Rookie of the Year
NBA All-Star
All-NBA Teams
- 2004-05 All-NBA Second Team
- 2005-06 All-NBA First Team
- 2006-07 All-NBA Second Team
NBA All-Rookie Team
- 2003-04 All-Rookie First Team
Background:
In high school, James was a highly-touted prep prospect with many colleges and the NBA clamoring for the young phenom. Although the name LeBron James was familiar to many since his freshman year, the height of LeBron Mania occurred during his senior year of high school when many wondered if he would go to college or straight to the pros. Of course, he decided to go straight to the NBA and his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers were fortunate enough to win the 2003 NBA Draft Lottery and the right to take James with the first overall pick in the draft.
Since entering the league, James had has success off-the-court as well as on. He has put on a series of successful commercials for Nike featuring "The LeBrons" in which James plays several characters in the same scene. LeBron has a lot of mainstream commercial appeal, much like Michael Jordan.
His Career Thus Far:
Right from the get go, James impressed everyone as he actually lived up to the immense hype that surrounded him during his last year in high school. The Cavaliers finished 35-47 during James' rookie year, but he averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, proving that he belonged in the league. In his first postseason in 2006, James led the Cavaliers to their first playoff appearance since the 1997-98 season, beating the Washington Wizards in the first round before losing to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference semifinals. This past 2006-07 season, James led his Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, but unfortunately could not handle the experience and play of the Spurs, getting swept in the series. However, getting to the Finals could just be a hint of what's to come from the man they call, "King."
James is compared a lot to the legendary Michael Jordan, because of James' marketability and the statistics he puts up. However, because of his height and court vision, a comparison to another player known for his smile, Magic Johnson, is certainly valid. Only in his early 20's, the future is bright for James.
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