LeBron James

LeBron James swept into Northeast Ohio's consciousness when as a High School student in Akron, he shattered school and state basketball records. Today, the basketball phenom is the centerpiece of the Cleveland Cavaliers as well as a model of how to handle a meteoric rise to fame and wealth with style and class.

Early Life: LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, the only child of young single mother, Gloria James. The tiny family struggled financially and moved frequently within the Akron area.

High School: LeBron attended St. Vincent - St. Mary High School in Akron. He excelled in sports, setting basketball records and helping his team win the Division III championship in his freshman year. In his sophomore and junior years, he was named Ohio's "Mr. Basketball." The multi-talented James was also chosen All-State 1st team wide receiver in football his junior year.

LeBron with the Cavaliers: The 6'8", 240 pound James was chosen the first draft pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. The 19-year old was immediately offered a $90 million contract by Nike, before he even played a single game. He didn't disappoint. He was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003/2004, the first Cavalier and the youngest player to win that honor. In the 2007 regular season, he averaged 26.2 points per game, with 7.90 rebounds.

The Future: LeBron James continues to best his own records each season as well as to mature into a class athlete. His performance in the 2007 NBA playoffs shows a mature player with leadership and extraordinary athletic ability. He will be exciting to watch for years to come.

Personal: LeBron James is the father of two children, LeBron James Jr born October 6 2004 and Bryce Maximus James born June 14, 2007, with his longtime girlfriend Savannah Brinson.

LeBron is currently building a multi-million dollar home in Bath Township.

^{(last updated 2-20-08)}