<P> LeBron Raymone James Sr. (/ ləˈbrɒn /; born December 30, 1984) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Often considered the best basketball player in the world and regarded by some as the greatest player of all time, James' NBA accomplishments are extensive and include four NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVP Awards, two Olympic gold medals, three All - Star Game MVP awards, and an NBA scoring title . He is the all - time NBA playoffs scoring leader and has amassed fourteen NBA All - Star Game appearances, twelve All - NBA First Team designations, and five All - Defensive First Team honors . </P> <P> A prep - to - pro, James played high school basketball for St. Vincent--St. Mary High School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, where he was heavily touted in the national media as a future NBA superstar . He joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 as the first overall draft pick . James quickly emerged as a league star and concluded his first season by winning the NBA Rookie of the Year Award . He would go on to establish himself as one of the premier players in the NBA with multiple accolades, including being given the NBA Most Valuable Player Award in 2009 and 2010 . However, after falling short of the championship expectations set by the media, fans, and himself, James departed Cleveland in 2010 as a free agent to sign with the Miami Heat . This move was announced in an ESPN special titled The Decision, and is one of the most controversial free agent decisions in American sports history . </P> <P> In Miami, James won his first NBA championship in 2012, and followed that with another title a year later . He was named league MVP and NBA Finals MVP in both championship years . In 2014, James opted out of his contract with Miami after four seasons to re-sign with the Cavaliers . In 2016, James led the Cavaliers to their first NBA championship by defeating the Golden State Warriors to end Cleveland's 52 - year professional sports title drought . In 2018, he opted out of his Cleveland contract to sign with the Lakers . </P> <P> James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio to a 16 - year - old mother, Gloria Marie James . Speculated by many to be his father, Anthony McClelland, has an extensive criminal record and was not involved in their life . When James was growing up, life was often a struggle for the family, as they moved from apartment to apartment in the seedier neighborhoods of Akron while Gloria struggled to find steady work . Realizing that her son would be better off in a more stable family environment, Gloria allowed him to move in with the family of Frank Walker, a local youth football coach who introduced James to basketball when he was nine years old . </P>

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