Although he referred to himself as “the king” and “the chosen one,” LeBron James criticized his own arrogance and linked his boldness to youthful immaturity. His childhood was marked by severe poverty and a life almost spent on the streets. Today, with an estimated worth of $1.2 billion, James has truly become the king of sports, fundamentally transforming global basketball culture.
LeBron Raymone James, who has inspired countless people, was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron Ohio. Currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, James is one of the greatest basketball players in history. In fact, in 2023, he broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record to become the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. Let’s take a closer look at this towering athlete, who stands 2.06 meters tall and weighs 113 kilograms.
A Child Mother and a Criminal Father
When Gloria Marie James gave birth to the future king of basketball, she was only 16 years old. James’ father, a professional criminal, disappeared two days after his son was born and never took any responsibility for his care. Gloria, still a child herself, didn’t even have a pillow to rest her head on, let alone a place to go. She was unemployed and homeless. She felt a sense of relief, thinking she had left her troubles behind, as she took refuge in her mother’s arms with her baby in her lap. While Gloria worked various irregular jobs, her mother cared for the baby. However, when her mother passed away, Gloria’s world collapsed once again. Two of her brothers moved in to help maintain the household, but none of them had a steady income and couldn’t even pay for heating. They survived in a damp, cold and nearly ruined house.
A neighbor who witnessed their misery took pity on them and let Gloria and her son stay, offering them a couch to sleep on. Fighting for survival on her own, Gloria couldn’t find a regular job since she had no one to leave her child with. Besides, every stay at someone’s house eventually had to come to an end. Most of LeBron’s childhood was spent as a guest in other people’s homes. He didn’t have a house, a room. There were many nights he slept in train stations or cars.
A Single Person Can Change a Destiny
Growing up in crime-ridden neighborhoods filled with theft, assaults, and even murders, young LeBron never once complained about their unstable life. He understood his mother and the circumstances they were in. Whenever his mother said, “it’s time to go,” he would gather his entire life into a small bag and follow her.
At times, Gloria would try to enjoy the youth she never got to live with and forget her responsibilities. There were days when she forgot to take LeBron to school. But perhaps the most painful moment came when, at the age of 10, LeBron’s mother was sent to jail for a few weeks. Then a fourth grader, LeBron stopped going to school altogether, too ashamed of his mother’s imprisonment. That year, he skipped more than half of his school days.
The person who changed the fate that Gloria once said “not even my worst enemy should live through” was just one man: Coach Frank Walker, who believed LeBron had potential in American football, brought him onto the team, and opened his home to him. By encouraging the boy to play sports and generously offering him a place to stay, Frank Walker rescued a young child from gangs, crime and a tragic destiny.
A High School Star Is Born
During his teenage years, it became clear that LeBron was too large for American football, and that’s when his basketball journey began. He fell in love with the sport so deeply that he started attending school more regularly and improved his grades.
Even as a high school student, his talent stood out. In his freshman year, he led his school to a state championship. His star was beginning to rise, yet he remained poor – famous, but broke – since laws prevented him from earning money. By his sophomore year, even the NBA had taken notice. He and his team were regularly winning awards. He became the youngest athlete ever to receive the “Mr. Basketball” award, and sports magazines competed to feature him on their covers.
By the time he was a senior, his games were being broadcast on national television because this young talent was being followed with great interest in the U.S. and around the world. The school received payments for every televised game, but due to legal restrictions, LeBron and his mother were still barely scraping by.
Around that time, he had the word “Chosen” tattooed across his back, believing he was the chosen one. Although he would later criticize his own arrogance, let’s be honest – everyone has their flaws. After all, it was not easy being a broke, couch-surfing star that was chased by the whole world.
A Career Nearly Ended by Two Jerseys
Success was finally within reach – and money would soon follow. But high school students weren’t allowed to earn income. When his mother, wanting to honor her son’s achievements, gifted him a $50,000 car on his birthday – scraping together to do so – rumors erupted that LeBron had secretly accepted money, violating amateurism rules. An investigation was launched, and LeBron was eventually cleared.
Then came another controversy: he accepted two jerseys from a store in exchange for a photo. That small gesture triggered a massive ethical scandal. High school athletes were prohibited from receiving sponsorships, signing advertising deals, or even accepting gifts. He was suspended from school, and all hope seemed lost.
Just as his fairy tale threatened to end before it truly began, fans who passionately supported LeBron and top NBA figures came to his defense. Ending a young man’s career over two jerseys was simply unjust – and those with a conscience protested. LeBron paid for the jerseys and rejoined the team.
Ironically, the same people who begrudged him with two gifted jerseys would, years later, pay $512,000 for one of his high school jerseys.
Managing an Athletic Career Like a Business
Even before graduating high school, it was clear LeBron James was destined to become a basketball superstar. Top NBA teams and major sports brands were merely waiting for his graduation to approach him with deals. From day one, LeBron showed patience – turning down multi-million-dollar offers and returning to his modest home. He sometimes chose the path that offered more prestige than money.
When it came to choosing teams, he managed his career like a business. He shattered the illusion of blind loyalty to teams that pervade basketball culture. If the sport was also a form of show business, then players had every right to act like professionals.
His indecision between two major teams was so widely discussed that it became a running joke across popular culture – from talk shows to sitcoms.
After beginning his professional career with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, LeBron moved to the Miami Heat in 2010, facing harsh backlash from Cleveland fans. However, when he returned to the Cavaliers in 2014 and led his hometown to a championship, he regained their admiration.
By the time he joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018, his hometown held no resentment – they felt he had repaid his debt by bringing them glory.
With 4 NBA championships, 4 MVP awards, 20 All-Star appearances, 2 Olympic gold medals and over 40,000 career points, LeBron James is now the highest-scoring player in NBA history. He is a living legend who has extended his success well beyond basketball.
This is the inspirational story of a penniless king who once had no place to sleep.
