LeBron James is one of the most recognizable athletes in North America. This past summer, he made the
decision to leave the only NBA team he’s ever played for, the Cleveland Cavaliers, for the Miami Heat. The
way in which he chose to leave, on a televised special titled “The Decision,” was what drew the most ire from
the public at large. It may have been an error in judgment. At the same time, the millions of dollars in
proceeds earned from that television program went to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Even when he was
making a “mistake,” his heart was clearly in the right place.
This past February, James oversaw the renovation of a Boys and Girls Club in Los Angeles, Calif., one of the
many clubs that have benefited from the proceeds of the aforementioned televised special. Since he was first
drafted into the NBA and began earning tens of millions of dollars, James has devoted his spare time to
helping children.
“I am inspired to work with any charity that has to do with kids, anything that has to do with
underprivileged kids. I like bringing up the statistics — odds are that poor kids will face insurmountable
obstacles,” James tells Lifestyle. “I grew up in an inner city and it is hard to dream in that environment.
There is always something that shoots down your dreams and says that it’s not possible. I’m one of those few
kids that made it. And I know where I come from. So I always said, if I ever had an opportunity to be
successful in whatever I do in life, that I was always going to give back to underprivileged kids who believe
and have a dream. I want to try to help others make their dreams become a reality.”
Much of James’ charity work does not get publicized. According to those closest to him, he has no interest in
publicizing his good works. Instead, he prefers to do great things in the shadows. Yet when asked for his
favourite moment of the recent 2011 NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, a weekend filled with pomp and
pageantry and celebrities galore, James did not choose the Hollywood parties. Instead, he did not miss a beat
in saying that he most enjoyed his time spent at the Boys and Girls Club.
“The highlight of the whole weekend for me had to be the community work that I did. I went to the Boys and
Girls Club on the east side of Los Angeles on Saturday morning,” says James. “We revamped a whole club, the
gymnasium and all the facilities. These kids have unbelievable talents. Everything from singing to
craftsmanship to dancing to being artistic, being artists. It was an amazing moment for me to see kids that
society writes off. These kids could easily become poverty statistics. It was a great moment for myself just
to be a part of that, to be a part of changing this reality.”
For a man who is only 26 years old, he has great insight. Perhaps it comes from the harsh lessons of a
poverty-stricken youth. Or perhaps his thoughtfulness comes from having skipped university for professional
basketball, and the school of life that is life on the road in the NBA.
“The game of basketball has allowed me to travel the world. I have met people I would never have met
otherwise. I have made friends with people from many walks of life. I have learnt a lot from all these
people. But the biggest lesson I have learnt is to take everything in stride and remain humble,” he says.
While many sports fans did not particularly like his decision this past summer to switch teams, leaving
Cleveland for Miami, James continues to do what he has always done, and that is to play basketball at the
highest level and devote himself to helping young people. He is concerned with being a strong role model, and
not necessarily only to aspiring ball players.
“This is not about basketball. There are so many things that you can do in life. Everyone has something to be
passionate about. They have to find out what that is and go after it. If I can help some underprivileged kids
realize their dreams, then that is the ultimate satisfaction for me as well,” says James.
There are athletes that transcend their given sport and speak to a much larger audience. The opportunity to
be bigger than oneself and influence positive change in the world is something that everyone can do, in some
form or another. The remarkable opportunity afforded to James as a result of his personal success has become
a responsibility that he has taken seriously.
“There were many obstacles in my life when you look at where I came from and where I am today. I know that if
I can do it, then other poor kids can too. I see my success as an opportunity to inspire the youth,” James
concludes.
As a teenager, James was dubbed King James by the sports media. As he moves beyond the corner of northeastern
Ohio that brought him to international acclaim, he now has the power to affect the lives of many more than
just those in his own community. More and more, he is like a King. •
Photos by Victor Baldizon and Issac Baldizon / NBA Photos
