LeBron “The King” James is a professional American basketball player who plays the forward position for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. He is widely considered as one of the best basketball players ever, and in his 17th season in the NBA continues to play dominantly and lead the league in many categories.
Biography
LeBron Raymore James Sr. was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, USA, to a mother who was 16 years old. He never knew his father who left his mother alone, and had a criminal record. His childhood was rough and his mother did everything to provide for her son.
It was soon obvious how talented he was for basketball, especially while he attended the St. Vincent – St. Marry High School in his hometown. During his time there, he became a country-wide sensation and everyone waited for the day he would come into the NBA. He did, straight out of high school at 18 and was the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers, his home state’s team. From his first pro game, it was evident that he is meant for greatness.
Career
So far in his career, LeBron has won an incredible amount of trophies and awards. He was the NBA Champion in 2012 and 2013 with the Miami Heat and in 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, earning three NBA Finals MVPs.
He was the NBA MVP in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013. He was an All-Star 15 times, and is about to be again this February, and an All-Star MVP 3 times. He was in the All-NBA First Team 12 times, and in the NBA All-Defense Team 5 times. LeBron led the league in scoring in 2008, and was the 2004 Rookie of the Year. He also won two Olympic gold medals with the USA Men’s Basketball team, in 2008 and 2012.
Currently, he ranks fourth on the all-time scoring list, and has a real chance of being the first. His last big career wish is to play an NBA game alongside his oldest son, LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., 15, who is eligible for the 2024 NBA draft. With his high school sweetheart and wife Savannah Brinson, 33, he has two more children, Bryce, 13, and Zhuri, 6.
LeBron James Net Worth
As of the start of 2020, the estimated net worth of LeBron James is more than is $450 million. He is currently the fourth highest paid basketball player of all time, just behind Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan on the list of total career earnings.
His contracts include an $87 million contract with Nike in 2003, which was upgraded to a $1 billion lifetime deal in 2015. He will earn the $1 billion by the time he is 64. His other endorsements and investments include McDonalds, State Farm, Beats by Dre, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Dunkin Donuts, Baskin Robins, KIA, Samsung, 2K Sports, and many others. He even owns shares of Liverpool F.C. He is set to star in “Space Jam 2”. He earns more from his endorsements deals each year than from basketball. In 2019, he was the eighth highest paid athlete, and earned $89 million in that year alone, and only $36 was from basketball. He is currently in year two of his four-year $154 million contract.
