People | March 12, 2015 10:11 PM EDT

40 interesting facts about LeBron James: He was a stellar football player in High School, is ambidextrous

NBA star LeBron James became both the first member of the Cavalier franchise and the youngest player to receive the Rookie of the Year Award at age 20. Here are 40 interesting facts about this talented basketball player.
  1. LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30, 1984.

  2. He was born in Akron, Ohio.

  3. In fourth grade, he missed 82 of 160 school days. LeBron's mother, Gloria James, spent seven days in county jail for committing petty crimes like trespassing and disorderly conduct. As a result, James was too ashamed to go to school and missed the majority of fourth grade.
  4. LeBron James and Michael Jordan are the only players to win a regular season MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.
  5. His first Nikes were inspired by the Hummer H2 after the scandal that involved his mom getting him the car in high school.
  6. His favorite school subject was art. His strange shoe designs prove that he is very much interested in art. It is one of the facts about LeBron James that definitely will make his fan smiling who also love Art as a subject. He also comes with some natural art talent.

  7. James was recruited by St. Vincent-St. Mary High School to join their basketball team in 1999.

  8. When LeBron was a senior in high school, the buzz surrounding his future was so great that his team moved its practices from the school gymnasium to the University of Akron campus. NBA stars, including Shaquille O'Neal, attended his games, some of which were televised on ESPN2. The 2009 documentary "More Than a Game" chronicles the high school careers of James and four of his St. Vincent-St. Mary teammates.

  9. As a freshman, James averaged 18 points per game. He helped the team to a Division III state title by scoring 25 points in the championship game.

  10. When LeBron was in the senior year of his high school, he used to live in government subsidized housing. That time his mother took out a loan to buy a Hummer as LeBron's 18th Birthday gift.

  11. James began to appear on the cover of "SLAM" magazine and Sports Illustrated even though he was still in high school. It was clear to everyone that LeBron was destined to be an NBA superstar.

  12. Not many people know that LeBron was not only a star on his high school basketball team, but that he was also an amazing talent on the football field as well.

  13. In fact, he probably could have received a scholarship to a Division 1 school as a wide receiver. In his junior year, he was already an All-State receiver in Ohio, which is one of the states with the most talent when it comes to football recruitment.

  14. He runs a non-profit organization called Family Foundation, which helps needy children in his hometown area.

  15. Despite being passionate about his hometown of Akron, LeBron James is not a fan of the Cleveland Indians. He cheers for the guys in pinstripes instead. Indeed, LeBron was criticized early in his career for showing up to Cleveland Indians games, wearing a New York Yankees hat.

  16. James was the first player picked (by the Cleveland Cavaliers) in the 2003 NBA Draft.

  17. During the 2003-04 season, he became the first member of the Cavalier franchise and the youngest player (at age 20) to win the Rookie of the Year Award.

  18. In his first season, LeBron became only the third NBA player ever to average 20 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in his rookie year. Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson were the others. (Sacramento's Tyreke Evans has since joined the group.) In 2004-05, at 20 years, 20 days old, James became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.

  19. James played on the 2004, 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic basketball teams-winning a team bronze medal and two team golds overall-and led the Miami Heat to NBA championship victories in both 2012 and 2013.

  20. LeBron is ambidextrous. He writes and eats with his left hand, while on the other hand he shoots and makes layups using his right hand. It is his awesome ability that will draw your attention.

  21. LeBron James was the first African-American person who has been featured in the cover page of the Vogue. So it becomes one of the facts LeBron James. He made a history and made all the African American proud for him.

  22. LeBron James builds a very much friendly relationship with Jay Z. They often used to take pictures together and caption these "La Familia". Their friendship also draw the attention of media. They often become the top news of media. So it definitely takes its place to the top ten facts about LeBron James.

  23. LeBron James is the youngest player who has broken 40 points in a game. He was the first and only youngest player of breaking 40 points in his first NBA game.

  24. In 2009-10, LeBron became the youngest player to score 15,000 points, breaking Kobe Bryant's record.

  25. He has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player four times.

  26. Lebron's nickname is "King James."

  27. He stands 6'8" tall.

  28. Forbes has named as the 2014 World's Most Powerful Athlete.

  29. He owned a very small stake in Beats Electronics, which was sold to Apple, Inc. for $3 billion in June 2014, reportedly netting him around $30 million in cash and stocks.

  30. James has endorsements with Coca-Cola, Nike, McDonald's, Upper Deck, Samsung, Audemars Piguet and Dunkin Donuts.

  31. LeBron hosted a 2007 episode of NBC's "Saturday Night Live."

  32. He has a tattoo saying "Chosen 1".

  33. James proposed to Savannah Brinson, his high school sweetheart, on December 31, 2011 at a party celebrating New Year's Eve and his 27th birthday.The two were married on September 14, 2013 in San Diego.

  34. He has two sons, LeBron Jr. and Bryce.

  35. During his tenure with the Heat, James resided in Coconut Grove, an affluent Miami neighborhood, where he bought a three-story mansion overlooking Biscayne Bay for $9 million.He later listed the Miami property for $17 million after deciding to rejoin the Cavaliers.

  36. President Barack Obama said on seven different occasions that he hoped LeBron would sign with his hometown Chicago Bulls.

  37. According to one estimate, losing LeBron cost the city of Cleveland $24 million.

  38. LeBron loves cereal. Among his favorites are Fruity Pebbles, Frosted Flakes and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

  39. LeBron James' net worth is $270 million.

  40. After opting out of his contract with the Miami Heat, on July 11th, 2014, LeBron James shocked the world by announcing that he will be re-joining The Cleveland Cavaliers starting next season.

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