Justine Ciovacco - Lebron James: NBA Champion

Published in 2016 by Britannica Educational Publishing (a trademark of Encyclopdia Britannica, Inc.) in association with The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.

29 East 21st Street, New York, NY 10010

Copyright 2016 The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., and Encyclopdia Britannica, Inc. Encyclopdia Britannica, Britannica, and the Thistle logo are registered trademarks of Encyclopdia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved.

Distributed exclusively by Rosen Publishing.

To see additional Britannica Educational Publishing titles, go to rosenpublishing.com.

First Edition

Britannica Educational Publishing

J. E. Luebering: Director, Core Reference Group

Anthony L. Green: Editor, Comptons by Britannica

Rosen Publishing

Hope Lourie Killcoyne: Executive Editor

Tracey Baptiste: Editor

Nelson S: Art Director

Nicole Russo: Designer

Cindy Reiman: Photography Manager

Karen Huang: Photo Researcher

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Ciovacco, Justine.

LeBron James : NBA champion / Justine Ciovacco.

pages cm.(Living legends of sports)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-6804-8108-2 (eBook)

1. James, LeBronJuvenile literature. 2. Basketball playersUnited StatesBiography--Juvenile literature. 3. African American basketball playersBiographyJuvenile literature. I. Title.

GV884.J36C56 2015

796.323092--dc23

[B]

2014039770

Manufactured in the United States of America

Cover, pp. 1, 37, 38 Jason Miller/Getty Images; p. 4 David E. Klutho/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images; p. 7 Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images; pp. 8, 12 Sporting News Archive/Getty Images; pp. 1011 John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images; pp. 13, 1617, 1819, 2223, 2425, 27, 2829, 30, 32, 34, 35, 4041 AP Images; pp. 2021 Filippo Monteforte/AFP/Getty Images; cover and interior pages background images iStockphoto.com/block37 (basketball court illustration), iStockphoto.com/Nikada (texture).

CONTENTS

L eBron James is one of those rare professional sports stars who is exciting to watch, always improving his game, and eager to be a good role model. He has learned the pressure and the power that come with his role as a living legend. James knows what its like to be one of the most popular players on the court and to attract massive amounts of attention from the media and fans alike. He also knows what its like to have fans and media turn against him.

James earned the nickname King James as a young player, before he was drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA) right after high school. He became the youngest player in NBA history to reach many amazing goals, including winning the Rookie of the Year award and scoring 10,000 career points.

LeBron James shoots against the Chicago Bulls in 2014.

All eyes have been on him from his humble start as a forward with the Cleveland Cavaliers to the media frenzy that followed his shocking move to the Miami Heat, where he won two championships (2012 and 2013). The moveand the way the popular star chose to make his announcementtaught fans and LeBron himself some difficult lessons.

LeBrons decision to return to his hometown team in 2014 also focused the spotlight on him. His move back to Cleveland highlighted the importance of team loyalty and the love of just playing the gamenot just playing to win.

L eBron Jamess early life was sometimes difficult. But he had the support of family and friends who wanted the best for him. LeBron turned this good luck into relationships that helped him through an intense start to his career.

Growing Up

LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio. His mother, Gloria, was only sixteen at the time of his birth, and she would raise her only child alone. LeBron never met his father. It was difficult for Gloria to work and look after her young son. She didnt have much help because her mom died three years after LeBron was born. Her mothers death meant she also had to care for her two younger brothers.

LeBron and his mom, Gloria, have always had a warm relationship. They are pictured together here in 2009.

Gloria, her brothers, and LeBron moved a lot and lived in rough neighborhoods while Gloria tried to find steady jobs. They moved twelve times when LeBron was between the ages of five and eight. The moves meant LeBron had to get adjusted to new schools and make new friends each time. His young life was not stable and he would sometimes miss school. He missed 82 days out of 160 in fourth grade.

LeBron had a hard time growing up without a father, and the many moves made him feel frustrated. His mother was loving but busy making ends meet. His uncles were great company, but they were much older so they had their own friends. LeBron spent a lot of time riding his bike, just trying to stay out of trouble.

LeBrons basketball skills were clear even as a high school student. Here, he takes control of the ball for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in 2003.

Focusing His Energy on Sports

In school, LeBron put his energy into football and basketball. Through sports he found confidence and friends. In fourth grade, he met Frankie Walker Jr., Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, and Willie McGeewho all became his lifelong friends. These relationships taught LeBron that loyalty to and from friends and family is one of the keys to happiness and success.

QUICKFACT

LeBron played wide receiver in peewee football. He scored nineteen touchdowns in his first season with his team.

LeBron was always faster and stronger than other kids, which made him stand out in football and basketball. His friend Frankies father, Frankie Sr., saw his talent and knew he missed a lot of school. He asked Gloria if LeBron could live with him and his wife, Pam, for a short time so they could help give him a more stable life. Gloria worried about this, but she agreed because she wanted LeBron to have what he needed to do well in life.

LeBron moved in with the Walkers in fifth grade. His stable home was now shaped by Frankie Sr. and Pam, as well as his friend Frankie and Frankies sisters Chanelle and Tanesha. The kids had chores and their homework was checked. LeBrons attendance and grades at school improved. The next year, he moved back with his mom, but he still spent a lot of time with the Walkers.

QUICKFACT

LeBron had a B average in high school. His favorite class was earth science.

Frankie Sr. also taught LeBron about basketball. LeBron and his four friends joined an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team while in middle school. The Fab Five, as they called themselves, traveled to tournaments and had fun playing the game they loved as part of the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars. They also won big, racking up more than 200 wins.