LeBron James facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
LeBron James

James with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022
No. 23 – Los Angeles Lakers
Small forward / power forward
Personal information
Born	(1984-12-30) December 30, 1984 (age 41) Akron, Ohio, U.S.
High school	St. Vincent–St. Mary (Akron, Ohio)
Listed height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Listed weight	250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
NBA Draft	2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1st overall
Selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Pro career	2003–present
League	NBA
Career history
2003–2010	Cleveland Cavaliers
2010–2014	Miami Heat
2014–2018	Cleveland Cavaliers
2018–present	Los Angeles Lakers
Career highlights and awards
4× NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) 4× NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020) 4× NBA Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013) 22× NBA All-Star (2005–2026) 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP (2006, 2008, 2018) 13× All-NBA First Team (2006, 2008–2018, 2020) 4× All-NBA Second Team (2005, 2007, 2021, 2025) 4× All-NBA Third Team (2019, 2022–2024) 5× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2009–2013) NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2014) NBA Rookie of the Year (2004) NBA All-Rookie First Team (2004) NBA scoring champion (2008) NBA assists leader (2020) NBA Cup champion (2023) NBA Cup MVP (2023) NBA 75th Anniversary Team Olympics MVP (2024) AP Male Athlete of the Decade (2010s) 4× AP Male Athlete of the Year (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020) 3× Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2012, 2016, 2020) USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year (2012) 2× National high school player of the year (2002, 2003) McDonald's All-American Game MVP (2003) 2× First-team Parade All-American (2002, 2003) Second-team Parade All-American (2001) 3× Ohio Mr. Basketball (2001–2003)
Medals Men's basketball Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2008 Beijing Team Gold 2012 London Team Gold 2024 Paris Team Bronze 2004 Athens Team FIBA World Championship Bronze 2006 Japan FIBA Americas Championship Gold 2007 Las Vegas

LeBron Raymone James, nicknamed "King James", is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and has won four NBA championships. He also won the first-ever NBA Cup in 2023 with the Lakers. James has earned three Olympic gold medals playing for the U.S. national team. In 2024, he and his son Bronny made history as the first father-son teammates in the league.

James holds many individual honors. These include four NBA MVP awards and four Finals MVP awards. He also won the Rookie of the Year award. He has been an All-Star a record 22 times. He has been selected to the All-NBA Team 21 times. James is the oldest active player in the NBA. He holds the record for the most NBA seasons played with 23. He has also played the most minutes in league history.

Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, James became famous in high school. He was expected to be a future NBA superstar. This was because of his amazing scoring, passing, athleticism, and playmaking skills. The Cleveland Cavaliers chose James as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft. He won Rookie of the Year. He quickly became one of the league's best players. He led Cleveland to its first NBA Finals in 2007. He won the scoring title in 2008. After winning two MVP awards in 2009 and 2010, he joined the Miami Heat in 2010. This move was announced in a TV special called The Decision.

With the Heat, James won his first two NBA championships in 2012 and 2013. He earned MVP and Finals MVP honors both years. After four seasons in Miami, he returned to Cleveland in 2014. He led the Cavaliers to their first-ever championship in 2016. He signed with the Lakers in 2018. He won another title in 2020. He became the first player to win Finals MVP with three different teams. In 2023, he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer. In 2025, James was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This was as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team.

Off the court, James has also become very successful. He has many endorsement contracts. He is the first player in NBA history to earn $1 billion while still playing. James has been in books, documentaries, and TV commercials. He won three Sports Emmy Awards as an executive producer. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world four times. This is the most for a professional athlete. James has won 20 ESPY Awards. He hosted Saturday Night Live. He starred in the sports film Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021). He has been a part-owner of Liverpool F.C. since 2011. He also leads the LeBron James Family Foundation. This foundation has opened an elementary school, a housing complex, a retail plaza, and a medical center in Akron.

Early Life and Basketball Beginnings

LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. His mother, Gloria Marie James, raised him. Life was sometimes tough for the family, and they moved often. Gloria wanted a stable home for LeBron. So, he moved in with Frank Walker, a local youth football coach. Frank Walker introduced LeBron to basketball when he was nine years old.

LeBron started playing organized basketball in fifth grade. He later played Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars. The team was very successful. LeBron and his friends Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, and Willie McGee led the team. They called themselves the "Fab Four." They promised each other that they would attend high school together. They chose St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, a private Catholic school.

High School Years

Basketball Success in High School

James playing for the St. Vincent–St. Mary Fighting Irish on January 20, 2003

As a 6-foot-2-inch freshman, LeBron averaged 18 points and 6 rebounds per game. He played for the St. Vincent–St. Mary varsity basketball team. His team, known as The Fighting Irish, had a perfect 27–0 record. They won the Division III state title. This made them the only boys high school team in Ohio to finish the season undefeated.

As a sophomore, LeBron averaged 25.2 points and 7.2 rebounds. He also had 5.8 assists and 3.8 steals per game. Many fans and scouts wanted to see him play. For some home games, his team played at the University of Akron's larger arena. The Fighting Irish finished 26–1 and won the state championship again. LeBron was named Ohio Mr. Basketball. He was also selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team. He was the first sophomore to achieve either honor.

In the summer before his junior year, LeBron was featured in Slam magazine. He had grown to 6 feet 7 inches. He was called "possibly the best high school basketball player in America right now." During the season, LeBron also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. He was the first high school basketball player below senior year to do so. He averaged 29 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 3.3 steals per game. He was again named Ohio Mr. Basketball and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team. He became the first junior to be named male basketball Gatorade National Player of the Year. St. Vincent–St. Mary finished the year with a 23–4 record. They lost in the Division II championship game.

During his senior year, LeBron and his team played against top national teams. One game against Oak Hill Academy was shown on ESPN2. LeBron averaged 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game. He was named Ohio Mr. Basketball and selected to the USA Today All-USA First Team for the third year in a row. He also won Gatorade National Player of the Year for the second time. He played in three year-end high school basketball all-star games. This made it official that he would enter the 2003 NBA draft directly after high school.

LeBron faced some challenges during his senior year. For his 18th birthday, his mother gave him a Hummer H2. This led to an investigation by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). They checked if it broke rules about gifts for athletes. LeBron was cleared because the gift was from a family member. Later, LeBron accepted two jerseys from a clothing store in exchange for posing for pictures. This violated OHSAA rules. He lost his high school sports eligibility for a short time. After an appeal, his penalty was reduced to a two-game suspension. He returned to play and scored a career-high 52 points in his first game back. St. Vincent–St. Mary won the Division II championship. This was their third division title in four years.

Football Skills in High School

As an underclassman, LeBron played wide receiver for St. Vincent–St. Mary's football team. He was so good that some college football programs, like Notre Dame, wanted him to play for them. At the end of his second year, LeBron was named first team all-state. As a junior, he helped lead the Fighting Irish to the state semifinals. LeBron did not play football during his senior year. This was because of a wrist injury he got in an AAU basketball game. Some sports experts believe LeBron could have played in the National Football League (NFL).

Professional Career Highlights

Cleveland Cavaliers (2003–2010)

Starting Strong: Rookie of the Year

The Cleveland Cavaliers chose James as the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA draft. James chose jersey number 23 to honor Michael Jordan. In his first regular season game, James scored 25 points. This set an NBA record for a player coming straight from high school. At the end of the 2003–04 season, James became the first Cavalier to receive the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. He was only the third player in league history to average at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game as a rookie.

Becoming a Superstar

In the 2004–05 season, James earned his first NBA All-Star Game selection. He scored 56 points against the Toronto Raptors. This set Cleveland's new single-game points record. At the end of the season, James was named to his first All-NBA Team. The Cavaliers did not make the playoffs that year.

At the 2006 All-Star Game, James led the Eastern Conference to victory. He was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP). Under James' leadership, the Cavaliers made it to the playoffs for the first time since 1998. He helped them win their first playoff series.

James engages in a pre-game ritual of tossing crushed chalk into the air in March 2008.

The Cavaliers finished the 2006–07 season with 50 wins. James led the team to wins over the Washington Wizards and New Jersey Nets. This earned them a matchup with the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals. In Game 5, James scored 48 points. He scored the last 25 points for the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers won the series in six games. This gave them their first 2007 NBA Finals appearance. They lost to the San Antonio Spurs.

In February of the 2007–08 season, James was named All-Star Game MVP for the second time. On March 21, he became the Cavaliers' all-time leading scorer. James' 30 points per game were the highest in the league. This marked his first scoring title. The Cavaliers were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in the second round of the playoffs.

Winning MVP Awards

At the end of the 2008–2009 season, James was a top defensive player. He made his first NBA All-Defensive Team. With James' play, Cleveland had a franchise record of 66–16 wins. James became the first Cavalier to win the MVP Award.

In the 2009 playoffs, Cleveland swept the Detroit Pistons and the Atlanta Hawks. They then faced the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals. James scored 49 points in Game 1. He hit a game-winning shot in Game 2. Cleveland lost the series in six games.

In February of the 2009–10 season, James played a key role due to injuries to other players. Cleveland finished the year with the best record in the league. James received his second NBA MVP Award. In the playoffs, Cleveland advanced past the Chicago Bulls. They then lost to the Boston Celtics in the second round.

Miami Heat (2010–2014)

A Big Move to Miami

James with the Cavaliers in 2009.

James became a free agent on July 1, 2010. On July 8, James announced on a live TV special called The Decision that he would sign with the Heat. He joined fellow free agents Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. They were called the "Big Three." James wanted to share the offensive load. He thought he would have a better chance of winning an NBA championship with the Heat. Many fans and experts had strong opinions about his move.

Adjusting and Winning Championships

James goes in for a slam dunk as a member of the Heat in March 2011.

James signed a 6-year contract with the Heat. He changed his jersey number to 6. The Heat held a big welcome party for the "Big Three." In the 2010–11 season, the team took some time to adjust. James faced a lot of attention from the media and fans. He scored 38 points in his first game back in Cleveland. The Heat improved and finished as the East's second seed. They reached the 2011 NBA Finals, but they lost to the Dallas Mavericks.

The 2011–12 season was shorter due to a lockout. James worked to improve his game. Miami started strong, and James was named MVP for the third time. In the second round of the playoffs, Miami lost Bosh to an injury. James responded with a 40-point, 18-rebound, and nine-assist game. This helped even the series against the Indiana Pacers. Facing elimination against the Boston Celtics, James scored 45 points and 15 rebounds. Miami won Game 7 to advance to the 2012 NBA Finals. They defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder for their second championship and James' first. James was voted Finals MVP.

During January of the 2012–13 season, James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 career points. The Heat began a 27-game winning streak. This is the third longest in NBA history. Miami finished with the best record in the league. James was named MVP for the fourth time. The Heat won the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers. They then faced the Spurs in the 2013 NBA Finals. James led the Heat to a comeback victory in Game 6. The Heat won Game 7, marking their second consecutive championship. James was named Finals MVP for the second straight season.

Final Season in Miami

On March 3 of the 2013–14 season, James scored a career-high 61 points against the Charlotte Bobcats. Miami earned their fourth consecutive Finals appearance. They again faced San Antonio. San Antonio defeated the Heat in five games. This ended Miami's quest for three consecutive championships.

Return to Cleveland (2014–2018)

In June 2014, James decided to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He signed a two-year contract and switched back to the No. 23 jersey. His announcement to return to Cleveland was very well received by fans.

Ending Cleveland's Championship Wait

James takes a shot in November 2014. During that season, James became the Cavaliers' all-time assists leader.

In January of the 2014–15 season, James missed two weeks due to injuries. This was the longest stretch of missed games in his career at the time. The Cavaliers advanced to the 2015 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. This made James the first player since the 1960s to play in five consecutive Finals. Cleveland took a 2–1 series lead, but lost in six games.

During the 2015–16 season, Cleveland finished with 57 wins and the best record in the East. The Cavaliers advanced to the 2016 NBA Finals. They had a rematch with the Golden State Warriors, who had a record-setting 73-win season.

To begin the series, Cleveland fell behind 3–1. James responded by scoring 41 points in Games 5 and 6. He led the Cavaliers to consecutive wins. In Game 7, he posted a triple-double and made a clutch block. Cleveland claimed victory, becoming the first NBA team to come back from a 3–1 deficit in the Finals. The win also marked the city of Cleveland's first professional sports title in 52 years. James was unanimously selected as the Finals MVP.

Second Stint in Cleveland Ends

James re-signed with the Cavaliers on a three-year contract. The 2016–17 season had some challenges for the Cavaliers. James described it as one of the strangest years of his career. Cleveland finished the season as the East's second seed. James averaged 26.4 points and career highs in rebounds (8.6) and assists (8.7) per game.

In Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs, James led Cleveland to a comeback victory. In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals, James scored 35 points. He surpassed Michael Jordan as the NBA's all-time postseason scoring leader. The Cavaliers advanced to the 2017 NBA Finals for the third consecutive year. They again faced the Warriors. The Cavaliers lost the Finals in five games. James made history by averaging 33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 10.0 assists in the series. He became the first player to average a triple-double in the Finals.

James protects the ball from Kyrie Irving in October 2017. The two were teammates in Cleveland for three seasons.

Before the 2017–18 season, the Cavaliers changed their roster. James continued to shine. In a November 3 game, James scored 57 points. This was his second-highest point total and a franchise record. Later in the season, James won his third All-Star Game MVP Award. He set an NBA record of scoring in double digits for 867 straight games.

In the Eastern Conference finals, the Cavaliers defeated the Celtics. This gave James his eighth consecutive NBA Finals appearance. Cleveland went to their fourth straight 2018 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. In Game 1, James scored a playoff career-high 51 points. The Cavaliers lost the series in four games.

Los Angeles Lakers (2018–present)

In June 2018, James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. He wanted to do what he wanted to do next in his career.

First Season with the Lakers

The Lakers hoped James would make them championship contenders. In the 2018–19 season, James suffered an injury. This was the first major injury of his career. He missed 17 consecutive games. The Lakers fell out of playoff contention. This was the first time James missed the playoffs since 2005.

Winning a Fourth NBA Championship

During the offseason, the Lakers traded for star player Anthony Davis. James moved to play full-time point guard. The Lakers opened the 2019–20 season with a great record. On January 25, 2020, James became third on the all-time regular season scoring list. He passed former Lakers star Kobe Bryant. James gave an emotional speech honoring Bryant after his passing. James ended the regular season as the league leader in assists for the first time in his career. He averaged 10.2 assists per game. He earned a record 16th All-NBA Team selection.

The Lakers entered the playoffs as the top team in the Western Conference. They advanced to the 2020 NBA Finals. In Game 5 against the Denver Nuggets, James helped clinch the series by scoring 38 points. The Lakers won the first two games against James' former team, the Miami Heat. The Lakers eliminated the Heat in Game 6. This earned James his fourth NBA championship. James was named the Finals MVP. He became the only player to win the award with three different teams.

Continuing to Make History

James signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers. During the 2020–21 season, James became the first player in NBA history to score 10 points or more in 1,000 consecutive games. He also became the third player to score 35,000 career points. He sprained his ankle in late March and missed 20 games. This was the longest absence of his career. The season was his 17th consecutive season averaging at least 25 points per game, an NBA record. In the playoffs, the Lakers lost to the Suns in six games. This was the first time James lost in the first round.

For the 2021–22 season, James switched his jersey back to No. 6. In early December, James achieved his 100th triple-double. In February, he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most combined points scored in the regular season and playoffs. James earned his 18th All-Star selection. He was celebrated as a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

James at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game

In March, James recorded two 50-point games. He became the oldest player to have multiple 50-point games in a season. He recorded his 10,000th career assist. He became the only player in NBA history to record at least 10,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists. The Lakers were eliminated from playoff contention.

In August 2022, James signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers. This brought his career earnings to $529 million, an NBA record. On December 13, James scored 33 points. He surpassed Wilt Chamberlain for the second-most 30-point games in NBA history.

During January 2023, James achieved many things. He became the second player in NBA history to reach 38,000 points. He achieved his 100th career game with 40 or more points scored. He became the first player with a 40-point game against every NBA team. He was named as a starter at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. He tied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record for the most All-Star selections with 19. He became the first player in NBA history to post a triple-double in his 20th season. On February 7, James passed Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. The NBA stopped the game for a special ceremony.

James sustained a foot injury in late February. He missed 13 games. On April 2, James posted a triple-double. He tied Jason Kidd for fourth place on the all-time career triple-doubles list. James finished the regular season averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. He became the oldest player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a season. In the playoffs, James had 22 points and a playoff career-high 20 rebounds in a victory. He became the oldest player in league history with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game. James won his 41st playoff series. He surpassed Derek Fisher for the most playoff series wins in NBA history. The Lakers were swept by the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals.

James in 2023

For the 2023–24 season, James switched back to jersey No. 23. This was in honor of Bill Russell, whose No. 6 jersey had been retired league-wide. James became the NBA's oldest active player. On November 21, he became the first player in league history to reach 39,000 career points. Six days later, James surpassed Abdul-Jabbar to become the player with the most minutes played in NBA games. On December 9, James and the Lakers won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament. James received the Tournament MVP award.

On January 25, 2024, James was named an All-Star starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. This marked his 20th NBA All-Star selection. Three days later, James became the first player in NBA history to reach 40,000 career points. On March 31, James put up 40 points on a career-high nine three-pointers. He surpassed Jordan for the most 30-point games. On April 2, James passed Oscar Schmidt to become the world's all-time scoring leader in basketball history. James finished his 21st season averaging 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds a game. He shot 54% from the field and a career-high 41% from 3-point range. He became the first player to average over 25 points and eight assists while shooting at least 50% overall and 40% from beyond the arc for an entire season. The Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs.

First Father-Son Duo

On July 6, 2024, James re-signed with the Lakers. James' son Bronny had been drafted 55th overall by the Lakers. This marked the first father-son duo in NBA history. On October 22, in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, James and Bronny became the first father-son duo to appear in an NBA game together. During his 2024–25 season debut, he tied Vince Carter for the record for the most NBA seasons played. On November 13, he logged a triple-double of 35 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists. He broke his record for the oldest player to record a triple-double in three consecutive games. Two days later, he recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double of the season. He broke his own record for the most consecutive triple-doubles made. On December 1, he reached 15,000 career field goals. He joined Abdul-Jabbar as the only players to reach this milestone. On December 19, he passed Abdul-Jabbar for the most career regular season minutes played.

On January 3, 2025, James put up 30 points and eight assists. He surpassed Jordan (562) for the most 30-point games in NBA history. On January 21, James posted a triple-double. He became the second NBA player to post a triple-double at age 40 or older. On February 6, James recorded season-highs 42 points and 17 rebounds. He became the oldest player to score 40+ points. James was selected for his 21st NBA All-Star Game. However, he missed the 2025 contest due to foot and ankle soreness. This ended his streak of consecutive All-Star starts at 20.

On March 4, 2025, James surpassed 50,000 career points across the regular season and playoffs. On March 8, James got injured. After a seven-game absence, James returned on March 22. On March 26, James scored a game-winning, buzzer-beating tip-in. This marked James' eighth career game-winning buzzer-beater. On April 9, he passed Abdul-Jabbar for second on the league's games played list. On April 27, he logged his 144th career playoff double-double. He passed Wilt Chamberlain for third in the career playoff double-doubles list. The Lakers lost Game 5 and were eliminated.

Delayed Start to Historic Season

On October 9, 2025, the Lakers announced that James would be sidelined for the start of the 2025–26 season. This was due to sciatica on his right side. He missed the Lakers' first game. This marked the first time he missed a season opener. On November 18, James made his season debut with the Lakers. He became the first player to appear in 23 NBA seasons. On December 4, James assisted on Rui Hachimura's game-winning 3-pointer. He finished the game with eight points. This ended his streak of 1,297 consecutive games with at least 10 points, setting a record. The last time he had scored fewer than 10 points was in January 2007. On January 13, he recorded 31 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists. He passed Bryant to become the player with the most double-doubles with 30+ points in Lakers franchise history.

National Team Career

James attempting a shot over China's Yao Ming at the 2008 Summer Olympics

As a 19-year-old rookie, James made his debut for the United States national team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. He spent the Games mostly on the bench. Team USA finished with a bronze medal. This was the first time a U.S. basketball team with NBA players did not win gold. James felt his limited playing time was a "lowlight."

At the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, James took on a bigger role for Team USA. He averaged 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. The team won another bronze medal.

Before the 2008 Olympic team, Team USA leaders asked James to improve his attitude. He followed their advice. At the FIBA Americas Championship 2007, he averaged 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Team USA went 10–0, winning the gold medal. This qualified them for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. James said the team's attitude had improved. At the Olympics, Team USA went unbeaten. They won their first gold medal since 2000.

James attempting a dunk at the 2012 Summer Olympics

James rejoined Team USA for the 2012 Olympics in London, England. He became the team's leader. During a game against Australia, he recorded the first triple-double in U.S. Olympic basketball history. Team USA won their second straight gold medal. They defeated Spain in the final game. James contributed 19 points in the victory. He became the all-time leading scorer in U.S. men's basketball history. He also joined Michael Jordan as the only players to win an NBA MVP award, NBA championship, NBA Finals MVP, and Olympic gold medal in the same year.

After a 12-year break, James rejoined the national team for the 2024 Olympic squad in Paris. He was the Team Captain at 39 years old. James was named one of the two Team USA flag-bearers for the opening ceremony. He was the first male basketball player to receive this honor. James led the team in rebounds and assists. He recorded his second Olympic triple-double in a semi-final win against Serbia. James became the first player in Olympic history with two triple-doubles. Team USA won their fifth straight gold medal. They defeated France 98–87 in the final game. James recorded 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assists. At the end of the tournament, James was named the FIBA Men's Olympics Most Valuable Player. He was also selected to the FIBA Men's Olympics All-Star Five. James became the third male basketball player to win three gold medals at the Olympics.

Player Profile

LeBron James is 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighs 250 pounds. He has played most of his career as a small forward and power forward. However, he can play other positions when needed. His playing style is athletic and versatile. It has been compared to Basketball Hall of Fame players like Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, and Michael Jordan. Through the 2024–25 season, James' career averages are 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game.

Offensive Skills

James drives to the basket in March 2008. A deft finisher, he led the NBA in scoring and shooting percentage at the rim in 2013.

As an 18-year-old rookie, James led the Cavaliers in scoring. He holds many "youngest to" records. This includes being the youngest player to score 30,000 career points. Early in his career, James was mainly a point forward. He was known as one of the best slashers and finishers in basketball. His speed, quickness, and size made him hard to guard. He could get past bigger defenders and overpower smaller ones. These skills were especially clear when he ran down the court quickly after getting a rebound.

In Miami, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra changed James' role. James spent more time playing closer to the basket. He improved his shot selection and accuracy on jump shots. He also learned to move without the ball in the Heat's offense. These improvements made James' scoring very efficient.

For most of his career, James has controlled the offense as the main ball handler. His playmaking ability is one of his best skills. Some experts rank him among the greatest passers in NBA history. He uses his size, vision, and the attention he gets from defenders to create easy points for his teammates. He makes accurate assists. James makes unusual passes, even while jumping or through many defenders. His ability to find open teammates has made NBA teams change their defense.

Defensive Skills

James defending against Joe Harris in February 2018

At the start of his NBA career, James was not known as a strong defensive player. However, he improved steadily over the years. In 2009, James became very good at the chase-down block. This is when he comes from behind an opponent to block their shot. In Miami, he became a more versatile defensive player. The Heat used him to guard all five positions on the court. From 2012–2016, general managers ranked him among the top three defenders in the NBA.

During his second time in Cleveland, James' defense changed. He sometimes took plays off. He would complain to referees instead of quickly getting back on defense. However, James was known for raising his defensive level in the playoffs. Some analysts called this "Playoff LeBron."

Legacy and Impact

James with the Cavaliers in 2017. NBA analyst Brian Windhorst, who spent his career covering James, recounted: "No one has ever had as much hype as James has had to live up to, and James has delivered on every last drop."

James left high school as one of the most talked-about prospects in NBA history. He made an immediate impact and was voted Rookie of the Year. As of 2024, James has been named to 21 All-NBA Teams. This includes 13 times to the First Team, which are both NBA records. His four MVP awards are matched by only a few other legends. James has also won four Finals MVP Awards, the second-most all-time. His teams have appeared in the Finals ten times and won four championships.

Sports publications often include James in rankings of the best basketball players in history. He was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Decade for the 2010s. This has led to many comparisons to Michael Jordan in debates about the sport's all-time best player. James has said his goal is to surpass Jordan as the greatest. In polls, James often ranks second behind Jordan. Younger fans tend to choose James, while older generations who watched Jordan play often choose Jordan.

Analysts have also noted James' influence on players having more power in the NBA. This came from his willingness to change teams during free agency. Experts say James' move to the Heat in 2010 "defined a decade of player movement." It changed the balance of power between stars and their teams. Other players have said James opened doors for athletes to control their own careers. Many current and former NBA players believe James' free agency decisions led to the trend of "superteams" in the 21st century.

James has said he wants to play into his forties. He hoped to play alongside or against his sons, Bronny and Bryce. This happened when Bronny was selected by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA draft. This made them the first father-son duo in NBA history. On October 22, 2024, they shared the court for the first time.

Personal Life

James married his high school sweetheart, Savannah James (born August 27, 1986), on September 14, 2013. They have two sons, Bronny and Bryce, and a daughter, Zhuri. Bronny was a standout high school basketball player. He was named a McDonald's All-American in 2023, 20 years after James' selection. James owns a large mansion in Akron, Ohio, that he custom-built in 2003. He also owns homes in Brentwood, Los Angeles, and Beverly Hills.

James' closest friends in the NBA are Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and his former Heat teammate Dwyane Wade. They are sometimes called the "banana boat crew." During a trip to the Bahamas, James rescued Anthony when he was carried away from their boat by a current. Anthony said James saved his life.

Activism and Community Work

Philanthropy and Community Support

James, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Dwyane Wade tape a public service announcement in January 2014.

James has kept strong ties to his hometown of Akron, Ohio. His charity foundation, the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF), is based there. Since 2005, the foundation has held an annual bike-a-thon to raise money for various causes. In 2015, James announced a partnership with the University of Akron. This partnership provides scholarships for children starting in 2021. In 2017, he received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award from the NBA. This was for his "outstanding service and dedication to the community."

In November 2017, the Akron School Board approved the I Promise School. This is a public elementary school created with the LJFF. It helps struggling elementary school students stay in school. The school officially opened on July 30, 2018. James said it was his most important professional accomplishment. Other projects by James in Akron include the I Promise Institute at the University of Akron, I Promise Village (a housing complex), House Three-Thirty (a community center/retail plaza), and I Promise Health Quarters (a medical center).

James also supports many non-profit organizations. These include After-School All-Stars, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Children's Defense Fund. In 2016, he donated $2.5 million to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. This supported an exhibit on Muhammad Ali.

Using His Voice for Change

James meets with presidents George W. Bush in 2008, and Barack Obama in 2012, respectively.

Throughout his career, James has spoken out on important issues. He feels it is his duty to use his status to help make changes. He has spoken about racial justice and voting rights.

On August 27, 2020, James and his Lakers teammates boycotted the 2020 NBA playoffs. This was to protest social injustice. James and other players spoke with former president Barack Obama. Obama reportedly advised them to continue playing and finish the season.

James has also encouraged people to vote. He supported the More Than a Vote movement. He encouraged members of the African-American community to vote. He said, "People in our community have been just lied to for so many years."

Media Figure and Business Interests

According to Forbes, in May 2023 James became the first active NBA player to become a billionaire. This makes him one of the richest celebrities. A biography of James, titled LeBron, was published on April 11, 2023.

Endorsements and Business Ventures

James has signed many endorsement contracts. Some of the companies he has worked with are AT&T, Beats by Dre, Blaze Pizza, Coca-Cola, Kia, Nike, and PepsiCo. Coming out of high school, James signed a seven-year deal with Nike in May 2003 for about $90 million. His signature shoes have been very popular for Nike. In 2011, Fenway Sports Group became the main marketer of his rights. As part of the deal, James was given a small ownership stake in the English Premier League football club Liverpool.

James has been listed as one of the world's highest-paid athletes. In 2013, he became the highest-paid basketball player in the world. In 2014, James made a profit of more than $30 million. This was from Apple buying Beats Electronics. He had an early deal to get a small share in the company for promoting its headphones. James has said he would like to own an NBA team in the future. In 2011, James co-founded the designer retail store UNKNWN in Miami, Florida.

During Super Bowl LVI in 2022, James appeared in a Crypto.com advertisement. He talked with a computer-generated version of his younger self. This commercial created a lot of buzz online. In 2022, James' charity, the LeBron James Family Foundation, partnered with Crypto.com. They aimed to teach communities in Akron about blockchain technology.

Entertainment Projects

James and comedian Jimmy Kimmel co-hosted the 2007 ESPY Awards. He also hosted the 33rd-season premiere of Saturday Night Live. James has acted, appearing in a small role on the HBO series Entourage. In 2015, he played himself in the film Trainwreck. He received good reviews for his performance. That same year, James' digital video company Uninterrupted raised $15.8 million. This was to help expand the company's efforts to bring athlete-created content to fans.

James and his business partner Maverick Carter own the production company SpringHill Entertainment. Their first work was the documentary More Than a Game in 2009. It told the story of James' high school years. Series produced by SpringHill include the NBC game show The Wall, the Disney XD sports documentary show Becoming, and the animated web series The LeBrons. In 2016, CNBC aired a show hosted by James called Cleveland Hustles. It helped new entrepreneurs in Cleveland. In 2017, James and Maverick Carter were executive producers for a documentary about Vince Carter. In February 2018, it was announced that James' production company would produce a new film in the House Party series. James was expected to make a cameo. James also created a documentary film series called Shut Up and Dribble on Showtime. It looked at how athletes' roles have changed in society. James partnered with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2018 to found Ladder. This company developed nutritional supplements.

In February 2019, it was announced that James would executive produce rapper 2 Chainz's new album Rap or Go to the League. The album aimed to celebrate black excellence and focus on education and entrepreneurship. As of June 2023, James is the most followed basketball player on Instagram.

In June 2022, James launched a media company with tennis player Naomi Osaka and Maverick Carter. The company is named Hana Kuma.

In March 2024, James and JJ Redick launched a podcast called Mind the Game. They had "pure conversations about basketball." The podcast was paused after Redick became head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. In March 2025, a second season was announced with Steve Nash replacing Redick as James' new co-host.

Investments

In 2012, James, Carter, and Paul Wachter invested in the Pasadena-based fast casual chain Blaze Pizza. Their investment grew to $25 million by 2017. James later became a spokesman for the company.

In November 2020, James became an angel investor in the tequila and mezcal company Lobos 1707. James helped Renee Montgomery buy the WNBA's Atlanta Dream team in March 2021. That same year, James joined Fenway Sports Group as a partner. This made him a part-owner of the Boston Red Sox, New England Sports Network, RFK Racing, and Liverpool F.C. The investment made James and Carter the company's first black partners.

James has said he is interested in owning an NBA team once he stops playing basketball. He specifically mentioned a team in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In August 2022, James, along with Canadian musician Drake, became part owners of the Italian football club A.C. Milan.

James is also a part owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Fun Facts About LeBron James

• LeBron loves cartoons! His favorites are "Tom & Jerry" and "Spongebob Squarepants".
• Earth Science was his favorite subject in school.
• His first slam dunk in a game was in 8th grade during a teachers vs. students basketball game.
• Michael Jordan noticed LeBron when he was in high school and invited him to play in basketball games in Chicago.
• LeBron's second son, Bryce Maximus, was born during his first trip to the NBA Finals in 2007.
• LeBron James and Michael Jordan are the only players to win a regular season MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.
• LeBron writes and eats with his left hand, but he shoots a basketball with his right hand.

Famous Quotes from LeBron James

• “I like criticism. It makes you strong.”
• “You can’t be afraid to fail. It’s the only way you succeed. You’re not gonna succeed all the time and I know that.”
• "I treated it like every day was my last day with a basketball.”
• "Commitment is a big part of what I am and what I believe. How committed are you to winning?"

NBA Career Statistics

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
2024–25	L.A. Lakers	70	70	34.9	.513	.376	.782	7.8	8.2	1.0	.6	24.4
Career		1,562	1,560	37.8	.506	.349	.737	7.5	7.4	1.5	.7	27.0
All-Star		20	20	26.8	.513	.297	.725	5.7	5.7	1.1	.4	21.7

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
2025	L.A. Lakers	5	5	40.8	.489	.357	.775	9.0	5.6	2.0	1.8	25.4
Career		292	292	41.3	.496	.333	.741	9.0	7.2	1.7	1.0	28.4

Awards and Honors

LeBron James at the 2022 NBA All-Star Game

• 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
• 22× NBA All-Star: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
• 3× NBA All-Star Game MVP: 2006, 2008, 2018
• 21× All-NBA selection:
  • 13× First team: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020
  • 4× Second team: 2005, 2007, 2021, 2025
  • 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
• 41× NBA Player of the Month
• 69× NBA Player of the Week

• 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)

• 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 home basketball court named The LeBron James Arena

• 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

• 2017 Jackie Robinson Award
• 2021 President's Award

• 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)

• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame – Class of 2025 as a member of the 2008 United States men's Olympic basketball team ("Redeem Team")
• St. Vincent–St. Mary Hall of Fame – Class of 2011

• First black man to appear on the cover of Vogue, posing with supermodel Gisele Bündchen on the March 2008 edition
• Honorary chair of the 2025 Met Gala in Manhattan

• 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

Television

Images for kids

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  James with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2022

See also

In Spanish: LeBron James para niños