LeBron James
LeBron James, also known as "King James" developed into an extraordinary superstar on the basketball court despite start-up difficulties. In the course of his career, the athlete has already won the NBA title four times. But the athlete is also experiencing golden times in terms of private life and fortune. What makes the professional basketball player a hero is his extraordinary commitment to social justice, which he demonstrates, for example, through the LeBron Family Foundation and political statements on the "Black lives matter - movement".
LeBron James is more than just a basketball player. The athlete enjoys a successful career like in a picture book, but he has never forgotten his origins. He inspires his fans not only in the game, but also in real life he scores again and again with social and political commitment. LeBrons is one of the best-known voices in the "Black Lives Matter" movement. The athlete also made a clear political statement in the US election campaign and spoke out against Donald Trump.
With the establishment of the LeBron James Family Foundation, the athlete wants to get involved in social issues. With the foundation, he gives children in his hometown (Akron in the U.S. state of Ohio) what he himself would have needed back then: opportunities and incentives. Socially and educationally weaker children are offered all-day care, psychological support and food. With the promise: "Ipromise School" (I promise education), the professional basketball player is making a political statement. The promise aims to include socially disadvantaged people in society and to unite them through education and equal opportunities.
James LeBron is always specifically committed to the "Black lives matter - Movement" (BLM). Before the game against the Angeles Clippers in the summer of 2020, players, coaches and referees took a knee during the national anthem. They also all wore black shirts with the slogan "Black lives matter" to make a statement against racism and police violence against African Americans. "There's already been progress. Then in the past we took our foot off the gas, we can't do that anymore," LeBron James said in an interview with TV station TNT. "We have to continue to spread love. We want ears to stay open."
Limiting himself to sports is not enough for him. Time and again, LeBron James actively campaigns for social injustice and racism and uses his reach to draw attention to grievances in society. Only recently he was criticized by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Regardless of this, the professional basketball player wants to continue working for social and political justice.
It quickly became clear that the American has an extraordinary talent in basketball. Already in his school days, LeBron became the most successful high school basketball player in the USA. Due to his early success, he was photographed on magazine covers such as "SLAM Magazine" and "Sports Illustrated", after which NBA experts such as Shaquille O'Neal were attracted to his high school games.
In 2003, the basketball talent was then acquired by his home NBA club Cleveland Cavaliers. In his first year, LeBron already impressed as a professional player and was named Rookie (Newcomer) of the Year. He quickly developed as a leading player and became an integral part of the American national team.
In 2007, LeBron reached the NBA Finals for the first time, with his team losing to the San Antonio Spurs. In 2009, he was named the league's Most Valuable Player for the first time.
After the end of the contract with his home club in 2010, the star became the most sought-after basketball player in the entire NBA. In the specially broadcast television show "The Decision" LeBron announced that he was moving to the Miami Heat. There was much criticism of this decision.
At the Miami Heat then developed the "Big Three" consisting of LeBron, Cris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, who were considered the most important athletes of the team. With the same club, James won his first championship in 2012. Two years later, LeBron caused a stir with his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Together with his home club, LeBron managed to win the NBM title again in 2016. In the same season, LeBron scored a mean of at least 25 points per game for the twelfth time in a row, setting a record.
In 2019, the professional basketball player moved to the Los Angeles Lakers. In the fall of the year, he beat his former club from Miami with this club and once again won the NBA title.
In January 2020, LeBron scored 29 points in the game against the Philadelphia 76ers, becoming the most successful player in the NBA with a total of 33,655 points.
Things could hardly be better for the basketball player. According to estimates, his fortune is 415 million euros. The athlete is currently under contract with the LA Lakers, where he receives a salary of 37.44 million US dollars. All of LeBron's NBA salaries since 2003 add up to a total of just under 344 million US dollars. His annual income is at least 80 million euros.
In addition, the athlete has a lifetime advertising contract with Nike. LeBron is the first person to date to receive such a deal from the sporting goods manufacturer. Annually, he is paid millions for being a representative of the brand. In addition, the athlete has lucrative advertising contracts with numerous other brands (see Sponsors), which gave him about $ 700 million career income.
This means that in July 2021, according to the sports business website "Sportico", James will be the first active basketball player to break the one billion US dollar (850 million euro) career earnings mark.
LeBron grew up in poor circumstances in Ohio. He lived there alone with his mother, who was just 16 years young when the athlete was born. LeBron's father was a former prisoner who abandoned the family. Time and again, the basketball player had to stay with foster parents due to a lack of money. For part of his childhood and youth, he also lived with his football coach, who later introduced him to the sport of basketball - the foundation for a stellar career.
In 2001, James met his wife Savannah Brinson in high school, whom he also married in 2013. Together they have two sons (LeBron Jr. & Bryce) and a daughter (Zhuri).
| Sport: | Basketball |
| League: | NBA |
| Team: | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Height: | 206cm |
| Nationality: | America |
| Birthday: | December 30, 1984 |
| Born in: | Akron, Ohio |
| Hometown: | Miami |
| Estimated net worth: | 415 million |
| Followers on Instagram: | 86.6 million |
| Partner: | Savanah Brinson |
