<P> Also during his senior year, James was the centerpiece of several controversies . For his 18th birthday, he skirted state amateur bylaws by accepting a Hummer H2 from his mother, who had secured a loan for the vehicle by utilizing LeBron's future earning power as a professional athlete . This prompted an investigation by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) because its guidelines stated that no amateur may accept any gift valued over $100 as a reward for athletic performance . James was cleared of any wrongdoing because he had accepted the gift from a family member and not from an agent or any outside source . Later in the season, James accepted two throwback jerseys worth $845 from an urban clothing store in exchange for posing for pictures, officially violating OHSAA rules and resulting in him being stripped of his high school sports eligibility . James appealed the ruling and his penalty was eventually dropped to a two - game suspension, allowing him to play the remainder of the year . The Irish were also forced to forfeit one of their wins, their only official loss that season . In his first game back after the suspension, James scored a career - high 52 points . </P> <P> James played wide receiver for St. Vincent - St. Mary's football team and was recruited by some Division I programs, including Notre Dame . As a sophomore, he was named first team all - state, and as a junior, he led the Fighting Irish to the state semifinals . He decided to stop playing high school football before his senior year, after he broke his wrist during an AAU basketball game . Many sports analysts, football critics, high school coaches, and former and current players have speculated on whether he could have played in the National Football League . </P> <P> James was selected by his home team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA draft . In his first regular season game, he scored 25 points against the Sacramento Kings, setting an NBA record for most points scored by a prep - to - pro player in his debut performance . At the conclusion of the season, he was named the NBA Rookie of the Year, finishing with averages of 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game . He became the first Cavalier to receive the honor and just the third player in NBA history to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game as a rookie . The Cavaliers finished the season 35--47, failing to make the playoffs despite an 18 - game improvement over the previous year . </P> <P> James earned his first NBA All - Star Game selection in 2004--05, contributing 13 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in a winning effort for the Eastern Conference . Around the league, teams took note of his rapid development, with Denver Nuggets coach George Karl telling Sports Illustrated, "It's weird talking about a 20 - year - old kid being a great player, but he is a great player...He's the exception to almost every rule ." On March 20, James scored 56 points against the Toronto Raptors, setting Cleveland's new single - game points record . With final averages of 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, he was named to his first All - NBA Team . Despite a 30--20 record to start the year, the Cavaliers again failed to make the playoffs, finishing the season 42--40 . </P>

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