11 Things you didn’t know about LeBron James

Born December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio, US, LeBron James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely considered to be one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, and discussions ranking him as the greatest basketball player of all time have often been subject to significant debate, with frequent comparisons to Michael Jordan. Here are 11 things you didn’t know about LeBron James.

1. LeBron was raised in poverty by a single mother.

Many NBA players came up in challenging circumstances and had tough childhoods. LeBron James is no exception, LeBron would be raised by a devoted single mother, Gloria James was just 16 years old, when she had her only child, and the young mother was living with LeBron’s grandmother. And when she died just a couple of years later, Gloria and baby LeBron lost their support system. As a result, the city of Akron would condemn their house. And the two spent the next six years bouncing around between couches and apartments, while Gloria looked for menial jobs just to pay the bills, from ages five through eight, the future of King James would have him moving 12 times reflecting on his journey from poverty to success. In his 2013 Finals MVP speech, LeBron would say.

2. LeBron lived with two youth football coaches as a child.

When LeBron was only nine years old, he would meet Bruce, who was putting together a youth football team. The coach took LeBron under his wing and had him moved in with him so that young LeBron could start to have some stability. By the end of that year, another youth football coach Frank would offer to let LeBron move in with this family after missing over 80 days of the fourth grade because of their chaotic living arrangements. LeBron then didn’t miss a single day of fifth grade, Walker introduced his young player to the game of basketball.

3. LeBron was equally talented at both football and basketball.

King James played both football and basketball through middle and high school, and some have speculated that the Akron hammer could have gone pro with football. But in June of 2002, just before his senior year, he broke his wrist during an AAU game. Because of the two month recovery time James would decide he needed to skip the football season in order to fully heal for a senior basketball. Season, and he knew just exactly how important that season would be. He had asked the NBA to allow him to be drafted before he completed high school, but they insisted that he finish. Upon graduation. He was one of the top three players in NBA history to be the first draft pick straight out of high school.

4. LeBron is ambidextrous.

Although generally a right handed shooter LeBron’s dominant hand is actually his left, meaning that he eats, writes, signs autographs and does practically every other daily task off the court with his left hand. But when it comes to shooting, he favors this right. So why does a lefty player learn to shoot right handed when asked in an interview LeBron responded, “I have no idea how I became a right handed basketball player. I think it was probably Michael Jordan that I looked up to growing up seeing those guys shooting righty, so I was like, I guess I’ll shoot righty.” So we see LeBron’s apprenticeship to MJ was so deep. He even changed his hands to imitate his idol.

5. LeBron is an outspoken social activist.

LeBron is an avid supporter of social and political causes. In 2008. He donated $20,000 to a committee to elect Barack Obama for President. He’s also an active donor to after school All-stars, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Children’s Defense Fund and has his own charity called the LeBron James family Fund, which is based in Akron, Ohio. He’s been vocal in his opinions on a wide variety of issues, never afraid to enter into controversy.

6. LeBron married his high school sweetheart.

In 2013, LeBron married his longtime girlfriend, Savannah Brinson. They met in high school in Akron when Savannah was a cheerleader for a rival High School and have been together ever since. When he proposed marriage, LeBron said it felt like a finals game, highly valuing her opinion and her happiness. LeBron noted that he would not have moved his family from Miami back to Cleveland, if it was not what Savannah wanted. Unlike other high profile players whose relationships are tested by affairs and extramarital fun, LeBron has remained always faithful to his first love, who was there for him even before his fame. Starting with his mother LeBron has often given credit for his success to the strong women in his life. And describing Savannas ongoing support in an interview, LeBron would acknowledge “you wouldn’t be talking to me right now if it weren’t for her.” The couple have three children.

7. LeBron is a passionate advocate for his fellow players.

Throughout his career LeBron has advocated for player rights from opening doors for players to switch teams easily to structuring NBA contracts for greater flexibility and higher salaries. He played a key role in pushing for greater benefits for retired players, and realizing a huge jump in the league salary cap in 2016. LeBron has also been involved in one of the most controversial issues in college basketball, paying the players. He was instrumental in getting a law passed in California, allowing college players to get paid for their endorsement deals.

8. LeBron has never met his biological father.

While LeBron has spoken many times about his mother glorious positive impact on his life and career. He’s never actually met his biological father, Anthony McClellan, McClellan abandon the 16 year old Gloria when she was pregnant and then went on to commit numerous crimes which included arson, and multiple counts of theft. LeBron has described his changing feelings towards his father, going from rage to acceptance to even gratitude. In 2014, LeBron posted a letter to his father on instagram in which he wrote, “Wow, Dad, you know what? I don’t know you. I have no idea who you are, but because of you, is part of the reason who I am today.” James himself though is a famously involved father often raising his children publicly on social media, and sharing his love for them with his fans. He’s even encouraged his son LeBron James Jr. Nicknamed brawny James to follow in his footsteps as a ballplayer however, he’s admitted he still regrets naming his son after him for the pressure that it places on him.

9. LeBron’s proudest moment.

Now you might expect LeBron’s proudest Professional moments be the seven victory for the Cavaliers against the warriors in 2016. Restoring Cleveland’s pride and glory after a 51 year championship drought. But according to James himself, his greatest accomplishment was even closer to home. The opening in 2018 of a school in Akron, a public elementary school designed to help at risk students stay in school. Always a big hearted and conscientious citizen with a desire to give back. LeBron received the Kennedy Citizenship Award from the NBA for his outstanding service and dedication to the community. Two football coaches changed LeBron’s life.

10. LeBron subscribes to a “work hard, sleep hard” philosophy.

If you want to be the greatest of all time, you need to get plenty of rest. A whole lot of it, actually. LeBron once copped to sleeping 12 hours per night, though these days he’s more likely to get a solid eight hours, with a nap sometime during the day. Another thing LeBron keeps in his health routine is a good red wine. “I’ve heard it’s good for the heart,” he said.

11. LeBron was the first black man on the cover of vogue.

Only two men had ever made a Vogue cover before LeBron did it in April 2008 that is Richard Gere and George Clooney.