LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984 in Akron Ohio. His mother, Gloria, had him when she was just 16 years old. She struggled to find work and they often moved apartment to apartment in Akron. He was introduced to the game of basketball at age nine, in which time he was living with his youth football coach because his mother felt he would be better off in a stable environment. He played AAU basketball with several of his best friends who all ended up playing at the same high school, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
High School Career
LeBron James along with
his friends and AAU teammates decided to attend St.
Vincent-St. Mary High School. St.Vincent-St. Mary High
School was a predominately white private catholic school and
so James and his friends, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, and
Willie McGee attendance at the school caused some
controversy. Dru Joyce's father, who was also the AAU
coach, was later made the head coach of the basketball team
during the students time spent at the high school. As a
freshman, LeBron averaged 21 points and 6 rebounds per game
and led his team to a 27-0 record and a Division III state
title. The following year he averaged 25 points, 7 rebounds,
5.8 assists and 3.8 steals per game. LeBron James became so
popular that they had to play their home games at the
University of Akron. That year they finished 26-1 and
won back to back state titles. During his junior year,
he averaged 29 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 3.3
steals and was on the cover of SLAM Magazine and Sports
Illustrated. That year he became the first junior
basketball player to win Gatorade National Player of the
Year.
Senior Year/Controversy
In his final year of high school, St. Vincent-St. Mary traveled around the country to play nationally ranked teams and their games were televised as often as possible. James averaged 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game and was named Ohio Mr. Basketball and to USA Today All USA First Team for a third consecutive year and Gatorade Player of the Year for a second time. LeBron James risked his college eligibility by accepting a Hummer H2 from his mom who took a loan out using her sons future success. He was cleared because it was from his mother and not an agent. He did however accept 845 dollars worth of clothes for pictures and autographs which led to him missing only 2 games. James also played football in high school and got offers from several Division 1 schools. After participating in several high school all star games, he lost his NCAA eligibility and instead would enter the 2003 NBA draft.
James drops 52 points!
Senior Year/Controversy
In his final year of high school, St. Vincent-St. Mary traveled around the country to play nationally ranked teams and their games were televised as often as possible. James averaged 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 3.4 steals per game and was named Ohio Mr. Basketball and to USA Today All USA First Team for a third consecutive year and Gatorade Player of the Year for a second time. LeBron James risked his college eligibility by accepting a Hummer H2 from his mom who took a loan out using her sons future success. He was cleared because it was from his mother and not an agent. He did however accept 845 dollars worth of clothes for pictures and autographs which led to him missing only 2 games. James also played football in high school and got offers from several Division 1 schools. After participating in several high school all star games, he lost his NCAA eligibility and instead would enter the 2003 NBA draft.
James drops 52 points!