LeBron James stands as one of the greatest athletes in history, with a career that spans over two decades of dominance. Fans know him for his chasedown blocks and four championships, but his journey began with immense hardship. In fact, he missed nearly half of fourth grade because he did not have a permanent home. Furthermore, he is a business genius who turned a small soccer investment into a fortune. Prepare to toss the chalk with the kid from Akron.
LeBron James
LeBron James is actually left-handed. Although he shoots the basketball with his right hand, he eats, writes, and signs autographs with his left. He reportedly switched his shooting hand to emulate his idols, Michael Jordan and Penny Hardaway.
He missed over eighty days of school in the fourth grade. His mother, Gloria, struggled to find steady work, and they moved between apartments constantly. Fortunately, a local youth football coach eventually took him in to give him a stable home environment.
He rejected a ten million dollar check from Reebok at age eighteen. The company offered him the money on the spot if he promised not to meet with Nike or Adidas. Remarkably, the teenager trusted his gut and waited, eventually signing a much larger deal with Nike.
He was an All-State wide receiver in high school. College scouts from major programs like Notre Dame recruited him to play football. Many experts believe he could have been an NFL legend if he had chosen the gridiron over the court.
He owns a small part of the Liverpool Football Club. He bought a two percent stake in the English soccer team for roughly six million dollars in 2011. Since then, the club’s value skyrocketed, turning his small investment into tens of millions.
He sleeps up to twelve hours a day. To recover from the physical toll of the NBA, he takes lengthy naps and sleeps roughly eight to nine hours at night. He keeps his bedroom pitch black and set to a cool sixty-eight degrees to ensure deep rest.
He learned to play basketball on a milk crate. Before he had access to a real gym, he practiced his shots on a crate nailed to a telephone pole. The nails from that makeshift hoop remained in the pole for years after he became famous.
LeBron memorizes unique handshakes for every teammate. He performs elaborate, personalized greetings with each player on the roster before games. This ritual proves his dedication to team chemistry and his incredible memory.
He sold duct tape door-to-door as a child. To pay for his youth basketball uniforms, he walked around his neighborhood selling supplies. This early experience taught him the value of hard work and earning his way.
His “Chosen 1” tattoo caused controversy in high school. He got the massive ink across his back after Sports Illustrated put him on the cover as a junior. At the time, critics called it arrogant, but he eventually lived up to the title.
He bikes to work occasionally. During his time with the Miami Heat, he sometimes rode his bicycle to the arena for home games. He claimed it helped him clear his head and warm up his legs before the competition.
The I PROMISE School offers GED classes for parents. Unlike traditional celebrity charities, his school supports the entire family unit. Parents of students can earn their high school diplomas and receive job placement assistance through the program.
He has a quote from the movie Gladiator tattooed on his arms. The phrase “What we do in life echoes in eternity” spans across his biceps. He often cites the film as one of his favorites and uses it for motivation.
He met his wife, Savannah, in high school. They started dating when he was a star athlete and she was a cheerleader from a rival school. She has been by his side since before he had any money or global fame.
Finally, he is the oldest player to win a Finals MVP award. He secured the trophy at age thirty-five while leading the Lakers to a championship in 2020. This record highlights his unprecedented longevity in a sport that usually favors youth.
