LeBron James

Birthday: Dec 30, 1984
Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, USA

Bio: He was sent like a gift from the basketball gods upon Michael Jordan's (second) retirement from the NBA, labeled "The Chosen One" on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 17. Amazingly, LeBron James has more than lived up to the hype brought on by his otherworldly teenage skills. James combines Jordan's intensity and will to win with the court vision and… More Bio: He was sent like a gift from the basketball gods upon Michael Jordan's (second) retirement from the NBA, labeled "The Chosen One" on the cover of Sports Illustrated at the age of 17. Amazingly, LeBron James has more than lived up to the hype brought on by his otherworldly teenage skills. James combines Jordan's intensity and will to win with the court vision and charisma of Magic Johnson, somehow without ever appearing the prima donna. A born showman, he plays to the crowd with high-flying dunk displays in warm-ups, followed by elaborate dances with teammates that go well beyond the standard chest-bumping. While demonstrating early in his career to be very much like Mike (wearing Jordan's No. 23), James shows more promise than Jordan in performing off the court. The affable James enthusiastically showed off his creativity, acting instincts, and dance moves as a 2007 guest host of Saturday Night Live and as co-host (with Jimmy Kimmel) of ESPN's 2007 ESPY Awards. Perhaps "King James'" easiness on stage was forged during his high-profile prep career in Akron, OH, where Kristopher Belman's cameras followed James' every move as a senior while making More Than a Game (2008). The documentary details the heartwarming bond James shared with four longtime classmates as they played the most nationally televised high school season ever. ~ Roger Leister, Rovi