LeBron Raymone James Sr, born December 30, 1984, grew up surrounded by struggle and later became one of the most well-known athletes worldwide. After making himself known in high school basketball, he got drafted into the N.B.A., where he quickly made his mark on professional basketball and acquired fame and fans. He has won four N.B.A. Championships and many awards, including two Olympic gold medals. Today is his special day, so read on to celebrate with us!
Fast Facts
Full Name:
LeBron Raymone James Sr.
Nickname:
King James, The L-Train, The Akron Hammer
Birth date:
December 30, 1984
Age:
39 years, 3 months
Zodiac Sign:
Capricorn
Height:
6' 9"
Relationship Status:
Married
Net Worth:
$600.0 million
Background
LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. His zodiac sign is Capricorn, and his ethnicity is African-American. He is the son of Anthony McClelland and Gloria Mae James, and he was their only child. James’ father was absent from his life, and he was primarily raised by his mother and a man by the name of Frank Walker, a local youth football coach. James was allowed to move in with Walker’s family after his mother decided he would do better in a more stable home because of financial issues.James has enjoyed basketball since he was young, but he started playing organized basketball in fifth grade. James attended St. Vincent–S.t. Mary High School, where he joined the basketball team. During this time, his talent began to be recognized and talked about, gaining constant media attention, like appearing on the cover of “Sports Illustrated” and being named Gatorade National Player of the Year. He entered the 2003 N.B.A. Draft and got selected by his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the first overall pick. In 2004, he received the N.B.A.’Rookie of the Year’ award. He was named the N.B.A. All-Star Game Most Valuable Player at the 2006 All-Star Game. In the 2007–08 season, James was named All-Star Game M.V.P. for the second time. In 2009, James finished second in N.B.A. ‘Defensive Player of the Year Award’ voting and made his first N.B.A. All-Defensive Team. In 2010, he became a free agent and got contacted by several teams. James then announced that he would sign with the Miami Heat and in the 2011-12 season, he was named M.V.P. for the third time.In the 2012-13 season, James was named M.V.P. for the fourth time and was named Finals M.V.P. for the second straight season after the 2013 N.B.A. Finals. In 2014, he opted out of his contract with the Heat and became a free agent, announcing his intent to return to the Cavaliers, signing with the team officially in July. In 2018, he opted out of his contract with the Cavaliers and became an unrestricted free agent once again, and his management announced he would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Career timeline
While playing for his high school basketball team, James’ talent gets recognized by others.
James is drafted into the N.B.A. and joins the Cleveland Cavaliers.
James joins the Miami Heat.
James opts out of his contract with the Heat and returns to the Cavaliers.
He opts out of his contract with the Cavaliers and signs with the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James FAQs
What made LeBron famous?
Being featured on the cover of “Sports Illustrated,” where he was named The Chosen One, during his teenage years boosted James’s fame.
Is LeBron the greatest player of all time?
James is often listed as one of the greatest players.
Did LeBron retire?
While James has hinted at retiring, he hasn’t done so yet.
5 Surprising Facts
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He was the youngest to be drafted
James was the youngest player to be drafted at number one when he was only 18.
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He’s one of the most followed
James currently holds the 28th spot in the list of most-followed accounts on Instagram, above people like Drake and Billie Eilish and organizations like NASA.
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He has a very long contract
A contract that James will never get out of is the $1 billion lifetime contract with Nike.
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He is a T.V. and film star
James has starred in T.V. shows such as “The LeBrons” and films like “Space Jam: A New Legacy.”
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He is left-handed
Even though James shoots with his right hand, he writes and eats with his left one.
Why We Love LeBron James
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He is an icon
James' career has not only shown he is a very talented basketball player but a pop culture icon overall. James has a significant number of fans and millions of followers on all of his social media platforms.
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He is determined
Nothing will stop James from continuing to play basketball because it is evident that he likes doing it. He devoted himself to the sport while still a teenager and has received criticism for some of the decisions he's made throughout his professional career.
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He’s dedicated to giving back
Throughout his career, James has had many philanthropic venues that benefit at-risk youth from his hometown. He has granted four-year scholarships to students attending the University of Akron, brought the After-School All-Stars program to Akron, built the I Promise School in Akron, and more.
LeBron James’s birthday dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | December 30 | Friday |
| 2023 | December 30 | Saturday |
| 2025 | December 30 | Monday |
| 2026 | December 30 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | December 30 | Wednesday |
