Childhood and Education Journey of LeBron James in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of LeBron James. A timeline of key moments.

LeBron James, nicknamed "King James", is a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He holds the distinction of being the NBA's all-time leading scorer. James has achieved remarkable success, securing four NBA championships across ten NBA Finals appearances, including eight consecutive appearances from 2011 to 2018. In 2023, he added another achievement to his legacy by winning the inaugural NBA Cup with the Lakers. Furthermore, he has earned three Olympic gold medals representing the U.S. national team, solidifying his status as one of basketball's greatest players.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

December 30, 1984: LeBron James Born

On December 30, 1984, LeBron Raymone James Sr. was born. He is an American professional basketball player.

Others born on this day/year

2001: Featured in Slam Magazine and Sports Illustrated

In 2001, before his junior year, LeBron James was featured in a Slam magazine article. During the season, he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, the first high school underclassman to do so.

December 12, 2002: Game against Oak Hill Academy Televised on ESPN2

On December 12, 2002, a game between St. Vincent-St. Mary and Oak Hill Academy was nationally televised on ESPN2.

Loading Video...

2002: Unsuccessfully Petitioned NBA Draft Eligibility Rules

Following a loss in the Division II championship game, in 2002 James unsuccessfully petitioned for a change to the NBA's draft eligibility rules in an attempt to enter the NBA draft. During this time, he used marijuana, to help cope with the stress.

2003: Custom Built Mansion in Akron, Ohio in 2003

In 2003, LeBron James custom built a 30,000 square foot mansion in Akron, Ohio at a cost of $2.1 million.

2005: LeBron James Family Foundation Holds First Bike-a-thon

Since 2005, the LeBron James Family Foundation has held an annual bike-a-thon to raise money for various causes in Akron, Ohio.

2007: Co-hosting the ESPY Awards

In 2007, LeBron James co-hosted the ESPY Awards with comedian Jimmy Kimmel, marking one of his early ventures into entertainment.

March 2008: James on Vogue Cover with Gisele Bündchen

In March 2008, LeBron James appeared on the cover of Vogue with Gisele Bündchen, marking the first time a black man was featured on the cover since Richard Gere and George Clooney.

June 2008: James Donates to Obama's Presidential Campaign

In June 2008, LeBron James donated $20,000 to a committee in support of Barack Obama for the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

January 2009: Growth discovered in James's jaw

In January 2009, a benign tumor was discovered in LeBron James's parotid gland during an examination at the Cleveland Clinic.

2010: Joined Miami Heat

In 2010, LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers and joined the Miami Heat as a free agent.

2011: Fenway Sports Group Becomes Global Marketer of James' Rights

In 2011, Fenway Sports Group became the sole global marketer of LeBron James' rights, granting James a minority stake in the English Premier League football club Liverpool.

2011: Part-Owner of Liverpool F.C.

Since 2011, LeBron James has been a part-owner of Liverpool F.C.

September 14, 2013: Marriage to Savannah James

On September 14, 2013, LeBron James married his high school sweetheart, Savannah James, in San Diego, California.

2014: Cramps during the Finals

In 2014, James experienced severe cramps during the NBA Finals, which later inspired him and Arnold Schwarzenegger to found Ladder, a nutritional supplement company.

2014: James Speaks Out Against Donald Sterling's Racist Comments

In 2014, LeBron James publicly addressed then-NBA owner Donald Sterling's racist comments.

2014: Returned to Cleveland Cavaliers

In 2014, LeBron James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers after four seasons with the Miami Heat.

November 2015: Bought Mansion in Brentwood in November 2015

In November 2015, LeBron James bought a 9,350 square-foot East Coast-style mansion in Brentwood, Los Angeles, for about $21 million.

2015: Partnership with University of Akron Announced

In 2015, LeBron James announced a partnership with the University of Akron to provide scholarships for as many as 2,300 children, beginning in 2021.

November 2016: James Endorses Hillary Clinton for President

In November 2016, LeBron James endorsed and campaigned for Hillary Clinton for the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

2016: Donation to Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

In 2016, LeBron James donated $2.5 million to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture to support an exhibit on Muhammad Ali.

November 2017: Akron School Board Approves I Promise School

In November 2017, the Akron School Board approved the I Promise School, a public elementary school created in partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation.

December 2017: Purchased Another Home in Brentwood in December 2017

In December 2017, LeBron James purchased another home in Brentwood for $23 million.

2017: James on Being Black in America

In 2017, following a racist incident at his Los Angeles home, LeBron James expressed the challenges of "being black in America". Later that year, he questioned the "Make America Great Again" slogan after the Unite the Right rally.

July 30, 2018: I Promise School Officially Opens

On July 30, 2018, the I Promise School officially opened in Akron, with LeBron James reflecting that it was his most important professional accomplishment.

2018: James Accuses Trump of Dividing the Country

During a 2018 interview with CNN journalist Don Lemon, LeBron James accused President Donald Trump of attempting to divide the country with sports. Trump responded via Twitter, calling Don Lemon "the dumbest man on television."

2019: Controversy over James' Statement on Daryl Morey's Tweet

In 2019, a statement LeBron James made regarding a tweet by Daryl Morey expressing support for the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement became controversial, with James stating Morey was "misinformed".

August 19, 2020: James Announces Support for Biden-Harris Campaign

On August 19, 2020, LeBron James announced his support for the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign and that of his running-mate Kamala Harris. James also spoke in support of the More Than a Vote movement, encouraging the African-American community to vote.

August 27, 2020: James Boycotts NBA Playoffs to Protest Shooting of Jacob Blake

On August 27, 2020, LeBron James and his Lakers teammates began boycotting the 2020 NBA playoffs to protest the shooting of Jacob Blake. In response, Jared Kushner planned to reach out to James, and Barack Obama advised the players to continue playing and finish the NBA season.

September 2020: Purchased Home in Beverly Hills in September 2020

In September 2020, LeBron James purchased a home in Beverly Hills for $36.75 million.

2020: James Statement on Morey's Tweet Sparks Controversy

In 2020, LeBron James' statement about Daryl Morey's tweet supporting the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong continued to be a subject of controversy, drawing backlash from protesters.

2021: University of Akron scholarships

In 2021, the partnership between the LeBron James Family Foundation and the University of Akron to provide scholarships for as many as 2,300 children began.

February 2022: Bill Maher Criticizes James' Stance on China's Human Rights Abuses

In February 2022, political commentator Bill Maher criticized LeBron James for not taking a critical stance toward the Chinese government's human rights abuses.

2022: James Appears in Crypto.com Super Bowl Ad

During Super Bowl LVI in 2022, LeBron James appeared in a Crypto.com advertisement, produced by his SpringHill Company and directed by Calmatic, where he offered advice to a CGI version of his younger self. The commercial sparked social media buzz and inspired memes.

2022: James Comments on Overturning Roe v. Wade

In 2022, LeBron James took a public stance on the ruling of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization that overturned Roe v. Wade.

2022: James' Desire to Play Into Forties in 2022

In 2022, LeBron James voiced his desire to play into his forties potentially alongside or against his sons Bronny and Bryce.

April 11, 2023: Publication of "LeBron" Biography

On April 11, 2023, Jeff Benedict's biography of LeBron James, titled "LeBron", was published, based on three years of research and over 250 interviews.

LeBron

Check it on Amazon

October 2023: James Voices Support for Israel Amidst Gaza War

In October 2023, LeBron James voiced his support for Israel on Instagram in response to the Gaza war, drawing criticism for omitting the Palestinians affected by the crisis.

2023: Bronny Named a McDonald's All-American in 2023

In 2023, LeBron James' son Bronny was a standout high school basketball player, named as a McDonald's All-American, 20 years after LeBron's selection.

October 22, 2024: James and Bronny Share the Court for the First Time

On October 22, 2024, in the season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron James and his son Bronny shared the court for the first time.

October 31, 2024: James Supports Kamala Harris 2024 Presidential Campaign

On October 31, 2024, LeBron James announced his support for the Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign in the 2024 U.S. presidential election through a video posted on social media.

2024: First Father-Son Teammates

In 2024, LeBron James and his son Bronny became the first father-son teammates in league history.

March 2025: James Denies Health Spending Claims

In March 2025, LeBron James refuted claims that he spends $1.5 million annually on his health, stating he doesn't know where that figure originated.

2025: James to be Added to Barbie Roster

In 2025, Mattel announced that LeBron James would be added to the Barbie roster, making him the first professional male athlete to be honored as a Ken doll. Also in 2025, James was announced to be honorary co-chair of the Met Gala in Manhattan.