Kimberly Gatto - Lebron James: A Basketball Star Who Cares

A Basketball Star Who Cares...

LeBron James plays small forward for the Miami Heat and is one of the top basketball players in the world. James got the nickname "King James" because he rules the basketball court. But off the court, he does even greater things, helping those in need through several charities, from the Boys and Girls Clubs of America to his own LeBron James Family Foundation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kimberly Gatto is a writer specializing in equestrian and sports books. Her published books thus far include three horse-related titles and several athlete biographies. She has also written for magazines. A lifelong horseback rider, she is the proud owner of a beautiful horse named Grace.

LeBron James is one of the top basketball players today. He is a small forward for the Miami Heat in the National Basketball Association (NBA). But there is nothing small about LeBron James. He stands six-feet eight-inches tall and weighs 250 pounds. Fans often call LeBron James by his nickname, King James. That is because he rules the basketball court!

Small forwards like LeBron James are very versatile. They score a lot of points and grab rebounds. James is one of the top scorers in the NBA. Once he scored 56 points in a single game! James also plays good defense. That keeps the other team from scoring points. Even though he is big, he can run very fast. He can block shots and steal the ball.

LeBron James is also a great team leader. He works well with the other players. Sometimes he helps them score. In basketball that is called an assist. James lets his teammates know that he is there for them. He once said, Ask me to play. Ill play. Ask me to shoot. Ill shoot. Ask me to pass. Ill pass. Ask me to steal, block out, sacrifice, lead, dominate. ANYTHING.

If theres one message I want to get to my teammates, added James, its that Ill be there for them, do whatever they think I need to do.

LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. LeBrons mom, Gloria, was very young. His dad was not around. Gloria worked very hard to support LeBron. But the family was poor. Sometimes they lived in bad neighborhoods. The family often moved from place to place. Once they moved seven times in a single year.

LeBrons mom, Gloria, gives him a hug after a big high school game in February 2003.

All of this moving was tough on LeBron. He missed a lot of school. He also felt different from other kids. LeBron found an escape from his troubles by playing sports. He especially liked football and basketball. LeBron was good at both.

In his first six games of Pee Wee football, LeBron scored 19 touchdowns. He was even better at basketball. LeBron made dribbling and shooting the ball look easy. He often pretended he was Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls. Jordan was one of the greatest basketball players of all time. LeBron dreamed that one day he would become a pro like Jordan.

Back at home, Gloria James worried about LeBron. She did not want him growing up in a bad place. She wanted him to do well in school. Gloria spoke with LeBrons coach, Frankie Walker. He lived in a nice home with his wife and three kids. Walkers son, Frankie, Jr., was LeBrons age. Walker told Gloria that LeBron could live with them for awhile. That way Gloria could try to save some money.

Gloria James shows off pictures of her son LeBron before a big game against Reynolds High School in North Carolina in 2003.

Gloria wanted what was best for her son. So LeBron went to live with the Walkers. It was a good situation for everyone. LeBron was treated just like the other kids. He had daily chores and homework. He lived in a safe neighborhood. That year LeBron did not miss any classes. He got good grades in school. He even won a school attendance award.

Coach Walker was like a dad to LeBron during this time. He also helped LeBron with his basketball skills. Walker showed him how to play all positions in the starting five. He also showed LeBron how to shoot with his left hand. LeBron worked hard and learned quickly.

Best of all, LeBron was still able to spend time with his mom. They stayed very close. My mom and I have always been there for each other, LeBron said. We had some tough times, but she was always there for me.

As LeBron got older, he was taller than the other kids his age. By junior high, he was six feet tall. This helped him reach the basketball hoop. He could score, rebound, and even dunk the ball. LeBrons coaches were amazed at his talent. So were his friends and teammates.

LeBron had a group of close pals: Willie McGee, Sian Cotton, and Dru Joyce. Drus dad was a high school basketball coach. The friends called themselves the Fab Four. They all played basketball. When it came time for high school, they wanted to stick together. So they decided to go to the same high school. That school was St. Vincent-St. Mary (SVSM) in Akron.

SVSMs basketball team was called the Fighting Irish. LeBron was a starter. He was also the schools star player. In his first year, LeBrons team won the state championship. They won it again the next year. That season, LeBron was named Ohios Mr. Basketball. This meant that he was the best player in the state. LeBron was the first sophomore ever to win the award.

By his junior year, LeBron had grown to six feet seven inches. He had also become well known. People came from all over to watch LeBron play. Soon the high school arena was too small for LeBrons many fans. The Fighting Irish had to move their home games to a larger building.

LeBron drives to the basket while playing for Akron St. Vincent-St. Marys in March 2002.

It seemed that everyone was watching LeBron. NBA scouts came to watch him play. The newspapers wrote articles about him. LeBrons photo appeared on the cover of SLAM, a national basketball magazine.

LeBron James also continued to win awards. As a junior, he was named Mr. Basketball for the second time. He was also named Player of the Year by Parade magazine.

LeBron soars above the hoop during a high school game on January 24, 2003.

Soon the basketball world was focused on LeBron. NBA superstar Shaquille ONeal came to watch one of his games. Kobe Bryant sent LeBron a special pair of sneakers. LeBron also met his idol, Michael Jordan. LeBron later said that meeting Jordan was an unbelievable experience.

Some people thought that LeBron should leave school and become an NBA player right away. Scouts tried to convince him to turn pro. But LeBron and his mom felt that he should finish school. They believed that education was important. After graduation, he would be free to begin his NBA career. LeBron worked hard and did well in school. His favorite subject was earth science.