High school basketball phenom LeBron James launches new era in the NBA; nine Blacks chosen as lottery picks

Jet, July 14, 2003

It's official: The most anticipated moment in NBA history has come to an end, but this is just the beginning.

LeBron James, the 18-year-old Akron, OH, high school phenom who has garnered national attention since his sophomore year, was chosen No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, which was a surprise only to anyone who has lived in a closet for this past year.

"This is a longtime dream and I finally accomplished it. The hard work finally paid off for me," James said on draft night, standing out as he glowed in his all-white custom-made suit.

Though James hasn't played a basketball game at the pro level, his image has already made an impact in the NBA and he is a household name.

James lives up to his hype. He's a 6-foot-8, 240 pounder with the skills of a guard and the body of a forward. His passing ability is so highly regarded that he's looked upon as the next Magic Johnson.

OK, you may be scratching your head thinking James is not the first high school player to jump straight to the NBA. As a matter of fact, only two years ago, another high school player, Kwame Brown, was drafted No. 1 overall by the Washington Wizards. However, there has been no other player to enter the league with such a complete package of talent that has generated so much excitement and who has scored lucrative endorsement deals before ever signing a pro contract.

James recently inked a 7-year, $90 million Nike contract, believed to be the richest ever offered as an initial endorsement (JET, June 9). In addition to the Nike deal, James signed an exclusive multiyear contract with Upper Deck trading cards. That deal included a $1 million signing bonus, which again is believed to be the largest trading card and memorabilia deal for a rookie in sports history.

In leading his St. Vincent-St. Mary (SVSM) high school team to the Ohio state title, some of James' games were nationally televised on ESPN and pay-per-view.

James (who, according to NBA scouts, from a physical standpoint is the most prepared of any other high school player in history to make the jump to the NBA) attracted sellout crowds to basketball games. This includes SVSM's home games, which were played at the University of Akron's 5,942-seat arena for more space. Averaging 30.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.9 steals last season, his Catholic high school retired his No. 23 jersey, which may be seen at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame if James OKs the Hall's request to donate one of his game-worn jerseys.

Basketball's Golden Child won three-straight Ohio Mr. Basketball awards and was named an unprecedented three major MVP All-Star awards (McDonald's, EA Sports Roundball Classic and Capital Classic), where he looked like a pro among schoolboys.

Proving he can stay cool and collected in front of the lights and cameras, "King" James will take his throne next season as a marked man, and he knows it.

"I'm one of the highest-publicized players in the country right now, and I haven't even played one game of basketball in the NBA," James said. "I know I'm a marked man, but I just have to go out there and play hard and play strong and help my teammates every night."

The charming star knows he has a tough job ahead of him. James will be looked upon to turn the fortune of a franchise that finished 17-65 last year, and that has not been to the playoffs since 1998.

"Seeing our team get better every day is going to be the biggest accomplishment for us," James said. "I feel like if we can get better every day as a team, that will be my biggest goal this year."