LeBron James

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

James is raised by his single mother, Gloria, who works two jobs to support him and provide for his training and nutrition. At thirteen, he plays basketball with friends on the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars while also dividing his attention between basketball and football 227 278 329.

Kobe Bryant tracks James down through the AAU circuit and sends him sports equipment, daily necessities, and an All-Star Game ticket. James initially takes the gifts for charity; learning that Kobe admires his talent shocks him. He later trains with Kobe and Lamar Odom, whose guidance he particularly values 227 237 255.

James resolves to become a player worthy of Kobe's recognition. Their training is demanding enough that he dreads another summer of it, but his development accelerates. By high school, he has become a nationally known prospect. Cleveland selects him first overall in the 2003 NBA draft 283 329 514 859 873.

Appearance

James looks older than his age even as a young teenager. His size changes markedly during his early training years 237 514.

• At thirteen, he is described as well over six feet tall and looking closer to twenty-three 237.
• A later account measures him at 1.85 meters at thirteen; after a summer of training, he reaches 193 centimeters and develops a broad frame 329 514.

Personality

James is polite with others but fiercely competitive on the court. He appreciates Kobe's help while resenting the older player's habit of going all-out against him in training. Kobe becomes both a mentor and the opponent James intends to surpass 237 278 283 884.

He wants basketball success to improve his family's finances and also hopes to build a business empire. His confidence becomes apparent when Cavaliers veteran Ricky Davis calls him a sidekick: James challenges Davis to one-on-one rather than accept the role 859 874 876.

Abilities & Skills

All-around play

• Scores, rebounds, creates for teammates, and generates steals and blocks: his NBA debut includes 31 points, 9 rebounds, 11 assists, 4 steals, and 2 blocks 880.
• Produces a rookie-season average of 25.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks 884.

Driving and transition offense

• Uses speed and strength to get past defenders; he completes five dunks against Sacramento in his debut 880.
• Benefits from a spread floor: with Wang Zhizhi drawing a big defender to the perimeter, James has more room to drive or pass out of double teams 900.

Defense

• Guards Paul Pierce during his NBA debut and Dirk Nowitzki one-on-one during Cleveland's playoff series against Indiana 880 902.

Relationships

• Gloria James — his mother; works two jobs to support him and encourages him to remember Kobe's help 329.
• Kobe Bryant — mentor, training partner, and the player James aims to surpass 227 514 884.
• Lamar Odom — befriends James and teaches him basketball and life lessons 237 255.
• Zion Cotton, Drew Joyce III, and Willie McGee — friends and Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars teammates 227 278.
• Ricky Davis — Cavaliers teammate who initially treats him as a subordinate; James challenges him to one-on-one 876 880.
• Wang Zhizhi — Cavaliers second option whose perimeter shooting complements James's drives 900.
• Rich Paul — agent assigned to James through Mamba Sports 884.

Equipment / Items

• Kobe-signed shoes and game tickets — gifts that draw attention from James's schoolmates and let him attend NBA games 329.
• Mamba Sports shoe deal — a ten-year, $120 million rookie agreement accompanied by an independent personal brand 874.