LeBron James has played in the NBA for eight seasons as of 2011 -- seven with the Cleveland Cavaliers and one with the Miami Heat. James was selected with the first overall pick by the Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft and has earned several awards and accolades since.
Prep Career
James attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio, from 1999 to 2003 and led the school to the Division III state championships in 2000, 2001 and 2003. As a sophomore, he was named to the "USA Today" All-USA First Team, becoming the first sophomore ever to earn the prestigious honor. Following his junior year in high school, James considered entering the 2002 NBA Draft, but opted to finish his education before turning pro. Averaging 31.6 points per game during his senior season, James was named to the McDonald’s All-American team.
Going Pro
With the first pick of the 2003 NBA Draft, Cleveland selected James ahead of future all-stars Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. During his rookie season, James averaged 20.9 points per game and was named the league’s Rookie of the Year. He was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and earned Rookie of the Month honors during each month of the 2003-'04 regular season. Cleveland went 17-65 and finished in last place in the Central Division of the NBA’s Eastern Conference the season before James’ arrival, and improved to 35-47 and a fifth-place finish in the Central Division during his rookie season.
Cleveland
During the 2005-'06 season -- James’ third -- Cleveland qualified for postseason play with a 50-32 record, finishing second in the Central Division and eventually losing in the semifinals of the Eastern Conference playoffs. James led the Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals, where the team lost to the San Antonio Spurs. While with Cleveland, James was named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 2009 and 2010, was named to six NBA All-Star teams and won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award in 2006 and 2008. His association with the Cavaliers came to an end in 2010 when, as a free agent, he signed with the Miami Heat, joining fellow 2003 draftees Bosh and Wade.
Miami and Career Statistics
At the time of publication, James has played one season with the Miami Heat, helping lead the team to a 58-24 record, a first-place finish in the Southeast Division and a trip to the 2011 NBA Finals. James was named to the 2011 NBA All-Star team and earned NBA All-Defensive First Team and All-NBA First Team honors for his play during the 2010-'11 regular season. The Heat eventually lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals. During his eight-year professional career, James has averaged 27.7 points, seven assists and 7.1 rebounds per game.
References
- Bio.com: LeBron James Biography
- National Basketball Association: LeBron James Career Stats
- Basketball-Reference.com: LeBron James
- St. Vincent-St. Mary High School
- Basketball-Reference.com: 2003 NBA Draft
- NBAUniverse.com: NBA Teams -- Miami Heat Records Year by Year
- NBAUniverse.com: NBA Teams -- Cleveland Cavaliers Records Year by Year
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