History of LeBron James in Timeline
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.
1976: Abdul-Jabbar's Lakers Record
In 1976, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the last player in Lakers franchise history to achieve at least 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game, a feat that LeBron James would replicate on January 27, 2024.
1981: Magic Johnson's Triple-Double Record
In 1981, Magic Johnson set a Lakers franchise record for consecutive triple-doubles, a record that LeBron James later tied on November 15, 2024.
1982: Third Reigning MVP to Change Teams
In 2010, LeBron James became the third reigning MVP to change teams and the first since Moses Malone did so in 1982.
April 5, 1984: Abdul-Jabbar sets scoring record
On April 5, 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar set the record for all-time leading scorer in NBA history, a record he would hold until LeBron James broke it in 2023.
December 30, 1984: LeBron James Born
On December 30, 1984, LeBron Raymone James Sr. was born. He is an American professional basketball player.
1987: Magic Johnson's Triple-Double Record
In 1987, Magic Johnson set a Lakers franchise record for consecutive triple-doubles, a record that LeBron James later tied on November 15, 2024.
1998: Cavaliers Qualified for Playoffs
In 2006, under James' leadership, the Cavaliers qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1998.
2000: Mention of the 2000 Olympics
In 2008, Team USA won their first gold medal since 2000.
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.
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.
May 2003: James Signs Deal with Nike
In May 2003, LeBron James signed a seven-year deal with Nike for approximately $90 million after a bidding war among Nike, Reebok, and Adidas.
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.
2003: NBA Debut
In 2003, LeBron James made his NBA debut, scoring 25 points in a loss to the Sacramento Kings.
2003: Drafted by Cleveland Cavaliers
In 2003, LeBron James was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick of the NBA draft.
2003: Entered 2003 NBA draft
In 2003, after participating in three year-end high school basketball all-star games—the EA Sports Roundball Classic, the Jordan Brand Capital Classic, and the McDonald's All-American Game—LeBron James entered the 2003 NBA draft.
2003: Lakers' Biggest Comeback
In 2003, the Lakers had their biggest comeback since 2003. LeBron James beat the Lakers' record with a comeback on February 28, 2024.
2004: Rookie of the Year
At the conclusion of the 2003–2004 season, LeBron James received the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
2004: First NBA All-Star Game Selection
In 2004, LeBron James earned his first NBA All-Star Game selection.
2004: Shaquille O'Neal's Postseason Game
In 2004, Shaquille O'Neal had a 20-20 game in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, a feat that LeBron James would later match in 2023 during a first-round series game.
2004: Olympics Debut
In 2004, at age 19, LeBron James made his debut for the United States national team at the Olympics in Athens, Greece, where Team USA won a bronze medal.
2004: James reflected on the 2004 Olympics
LeBron James reflected on the 2004 Olympics, admitting that the team did not understand the importance of representing the USA at the time.
2005: Departure from Aaron Goodwin
In 2005, James left his first agent, Aaron Goodwin, for Leon Rose.
2005: Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2005, LeBron James was among Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
2005: Scored 56 points against the Toronto Raptors
On March 20, 2005, LeBron James scored 56 points against the Toronto Raptors, setting Cleveland's new single-game points record. He was also named to his first All-NBA Team.
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.
2006: Negotiation of Three-Year Contract Extension
In 2006, James negotiated a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Cavaliers, which allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent in 2010.
2006: 2006 FIBA World Championship
In 2006, LeBron James played a greater role for Team USA at the FIBA World Championship in Japan, where the team won another bronze medal.
2006: NBA All-Star Game MVP
In 2006, LeBron James was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, and he led the Cavaliers to the playoffs for the first time since 1998.
2006: Trio Discuss Future
In 2006, LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade discussed their upcoming 2010 free agencies.
2006: Regular season
In the 2006 NBA season, James finished the regular season averaging 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game
2007: 2007 NBA Finals
During the 2007 NBA Finals, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich famously used a strategy to exploit LeBron James' weaknesses by giving him space and forcing him to settle for three-pointers and long two-pointers. James only converted on 36 percent of his field goals in four games.
2007: Lebron comes off the bench for the second time
In 2007 LeBron James came off the bench for the second time in his career, with the first time being on March 26, 2023.
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.
2007: Led Cavaliers to NBA Finals
In 2007, LeBron James led the Cavaliers to their first-ever Eastern Conference championship, earning them a matchup with the San Antonio Spurs in the Finals.
2007: Led Cleveland to First NBA Finals Appearance
In 2007, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance.
2007: FIBA Americas Championship
In 2007, LeBron James played at the FIBA Americas Championship where he averaged 18.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. During the championship game against Argentina, he scored 31 points, the most ever by an American in an Olympic qualifier. Team USA achieved a 10–0 record, securing the gold medal and qualifying for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
2007: Leon Rose Joins CAA
In 2007, Leon Rose joined Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
2007: James named All-Star Game MVP
In February of the 2007-2008 season, James was named All-Star Game MVP for the second time.
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.
2008: All-Defensive Team
At the end of the 2008–2009 season, James made his first NBA All-Defensive Team, posting 23 chase-down blocks and a career-high 93 total blocks.
2008: Member of Redeem Team
In 2008, LeBron James was a member of the U.S. Olympic team known as the 'Redeem Team'.
2008: 2008 Olympics
In 2008, before being named to the Olympic team, LeBron James was given an ultimatum to improve his attitude. The USA team went unbeaten at the Olympics, winning their first gold medal since 2000. In the final game against Spain, James recorded 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
2008: Became Cavaliers' All-Time Leading Scorer
On March 21, 2008, LeBron James became the Cavaliers' all-time leading scorer in a game against the Toronto Raptors.
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.
2009: Proficient at the Chase-Down Block in 2009
In 2009, LeBron James became proficient at the chase-down block, which involves blocking the shot from behind the opposition in transition.
2009: Won MVP Award
In 2009, LeBron James became the first Cavalier to win the NBA MVP Award.
2009: Temporary Point Guard Role
In 2009, LeBron James temporarily assumed the point guard role for the Cavaliers due to injuries in the team's backcourt, maintaining the team's momentum and helping them finish with the league's best record.
2009: Release of More Than a Game
In 2009, SpringHill Entertainment, owned by James and Maverick Carter, released its first work, the Lions Gate documentary More Than a Game, chronicling James' high school years.
2009: Earned All-Defensive Honors Every Season From 2009
LeBron James earned All-Defensive honors every season from 2009 to 2014.
July 1, 2010: Free Agency
On July 1, 2010, LeBron James became an unrestricted free agent and was contacted by several teams.
July 10, 2010: Signed with the Heat
On July 10, 2010, LeBron James officially signed a 6-year, $110 million contract with the Miami Heat, becoming part of the first player-created NBA superteam. The Heat held a welcome party at the American Airlines Arena.
2010: Move to the Heat in 2010 Defined Player Movement
Ben Golliver of The Washington Post opined that LeBron James' move to the Heat in 2010 "defined a decade of player movement", and that he "fundamentally flipped the power balance between stars and their organizations."
2010: James listed as one of the most disliked athletes
Following his actions during the 2010 free agency period and "The Decision", LeBron James was listed as one of the most disliked athletes in the United States.
2010: Signing with the Heat
In 2010, James signed with the Miami Heat, facilitated by the contract strategy he had put in place.
2010: James did not play at the 2010 FIBA World Championship
In 2010, LeBron James did not participate in the FIBA World Championship.
2010: Criticism after Leaving Cavaliers
In 2010, LeBron James faced intense criticism from various sources after leaving the Cavaliers, with "The Decision" and his subsequent comments on race sparking controversy and damaging his public image.
2010: Joined Miami Heat
In 2010, LeBron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers and joined the Miami Heat as a free agent.
2010: CAA Instrumental in move to Miami
In 2010, Leon Rose and Henry Thomas, from CAA, brought James to Miami.
2010: Media and Fanbase Reaction
Throughout the 2010-11 season, LeBron James and the Miami Heat were treated as villains by the media and opposing fanbases.
2011: Consideration of NFL Offers
During the 2011 NBA lockout, James received contract offers to play professional football from the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks, which he considered.
2011: Working with Hakeem Olajuwon
During the extended summer of 2011 due to the lockout, LeBron James worked with Hakeem Olajuwon to improve his post up game.
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.
2012: Option to Swap First Round Picks
As part of the sign-and-trade deal when James joined the Heat in 2010, the Cleveland Cavaliers had the option to swap first round picks with the Heat in 2012.
2012: ESPN Ranked Game 5 Performance
In 2012, ESPN ranked LeBron James' Game 5 performance in the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals the fourth greatest in modern NBA playoff history.
2012: James Leaves CAA for Rich Paul
In 2012, James left CAA for Rich Paul.
2012: Investment in Blaze Pizza
In 2012, James, Carter, and Paul Wachter invested less than $1 million in Blaze Pizza.
2012: 2012 Olympics in London
In 2012, LeBron James rejoined Team USA for the Olympics in London, England. He led the team, facilitating the offense and providing scoring. He recorded the first triple-double in U.S. Olympic basketball history during a game against Australia with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists. Team USA won their second straight gold medal, defeating Spain in the final game. James contributed 19 points, becoming the all-time leading scorer in U.S. men's basketball history. He also joined Michael Jordan as the only players to win an NBA MVP award, NBA championship, NBA Finals MVP, and Olympic gold medal in the same year.
2012: Third MVP Award
In 2012, LeBron James was named MVP for the third time, averaging 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 53 percent shooting.
2012: Won First NBA Championship with Heat
In 2012, LeBron James won his first NBA championship with the Miami Heat, also earning MVP and Finals MVP honors.
2012: "Month for the Ages"
In February of the 2012-13 season, LeBron James' performance was described as a "month for the ages" by Sports Illustrated. He averaged 29.7 points and 7.8 assists per game while setting multiple shooting efficiency records.
September 14, 2013: Marriage to Savannah James
On September 14, 2013, LeBron James married his high school sweetheart, Savannah James, in San Diego, California.
2013: James Surpasses Bryant as Highest Paid Basketball Player
In 2013, LeBron James surpassed Kobe Bryant as the highest-paid basketball player in the world, with earnings of $56.5 million.
2013: Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2013, LeBron James was among Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
2013: James Reported as Most Popular Player in the NBA
In 2013, LeBron James was reported by ESPN as the most popular player in the NBA for the second time in his career.
2013: Won Second NBA Championship with Heat
In 2013, LeBron James won his second NBA championship with the Miami Heat, also earning MVP and Finals MVP honors.
2013: Career-High 61 Points
On March 3, 2013, LeBron James scored a career-high and franchise-record 61 points in a game against the Charlotte Bobcats, setting a record for most three-point field goals made in a 60-point game and the most points in a single game while wearing a mask.
June 25, 2014: Opted Out of Contract
On June 25, 2014, LeBron James opted out of his contract with the Miami Heat.
2014: Regression in Defensive Impact Beginning in 2014
Beginning in 2014, some analysts reported a regression in LeBron James' defensive impact, stemming from a lack of effort and expected age-related declines.
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: James Profits from Apple's Acquisition of Beats Electronics
In 2014, LeBron James realized a profit of more than $30 million as part of Apple's acquisition of Beats Electronics, due to his early stake in the company in exchange for promoting its headphones.
2014: James requests longer All-Star break
In 2014, LeBron James requested NBA commissioner Adam Silver to extend the duration of the All-Star break, which was subsequently implemented the following season.
2014: Returned to Cleveland Cavaliers
In 2014, LeBron James returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers after four seasons with the Miami Heat.
2014: James Named Most Popular Male Athlete in America
In 2014, LeBron James was named the most popular male athlete in America according to the Harris Poll.
2014: Missed Games Due to Injury
In January of the 2014-2015 season, LeBron James missed two weeks due to left knee and lower back strains, marking the longest stretch of missed games in his career at that time.
2014: Earned All-Defensive Honors Every Season Through 2014
LeBron James earned All-Defensive honors every season from 2009 to 2014.
February 13, 2015: James Elected First Vice President of NBPA
On February 13, 2015, LeBron James was elected as the first vice president of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA).
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: Baseline Jumper
During the 2014-2015 season, LeBron James hit a baseline jumper at the buzzer to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a 2–2 series tie with the Chicago Bulls in the second round of the playoffs.
2015: Off-Court Controversies
During the 2015-16 season, LeBron James faced criticism for his role in several off-court controversies, including the midseason firing of Cavaliers' coach David Blatt.
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.
2015: Appearance in Trainwreck and Uninterrupted Funding
In 2015, LeBron James appeared as himself in the film Trainwreck, receiving positive reviews. Also in 2015, his digital video company, Uninterrupted, secured $15.8 million in funding from Warner Bros. Entertainment and Turner Sports to expand its athlete-created content platform.
2015: James Ranked Sixth Highest Earning Sportsperson
In 2015, LeBron James was ranked the sixth highest-earning sportsperson in the world.
2015: Lowest Scoring Averages Since Rookie Season in 2015
In 2015, upon returning to the Cavaliers, LeBron James began to experience subtle age-related declines in productivity, posting his lowest scoring averages since his rookie season.
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: Ranked Among Top Three Defenders Through 2016
From 2012 through 2016, LeBron James was ranked among the top three defenders in the NBA by general managers.
2016: Signing Three-Year Deal with Cavaliers
In 2016, James signed a three-year deal with the Cavaliers, becoming the highest-paid player in the league for the first time in his career.
2016: Motivation to Surpass Jordan Acknowledged in 2016
In 2016, LeBron James acknowledged in an interview with Sports Illustrated that his motivation was surpassing Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player of all time.
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.
2016: Led Cavaliers to First Championship
In 2016, LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first-ever NBA championship, overcoming a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors.
2016: Lowest Scoring Averages Since Rookie Season in 2016
In 2016, LeBron James posted his lowest scoring averages since his rookie season. His shooting also temporarily regressed, and James briefly ranked as the NBA's worst high-volume shooter from outside the paint.
2016: James Ranked Third Highest Earning Sportsperson
In 2016, LeBron James was ranked as the third-highest-earning sportsperson in the world, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
2016: "Strangest" Year
LeBron James later described the 2016-17 season as one of the "strangest" years of his career due to injuries and unexpected losses for the Cavaliers.
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: Growth of Blaze Pizza Investment
By 2017, James' investment in Blaze Pizza had grown to $25 million, and he became a spokesman for the company after ending his contract with McDonald's.
2017: Executive Production of The Carter Effect
In 2017, James executive produced The Carter Effect, a documentary about Vince Carter, alongside Maverick Carter, Drake, and Future the Prince, which was shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.
2017: James Receives J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
In 2017, LeBron James received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award from the NBA for his outstanding service and dedication to the community.
2017: Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2017, LeBron James was among Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
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.
February 2018: Announcement of House Party Film and "Shut Up and Dribble" Controversy
In February 2018, James' production company announced it would produce a new film in the House Party series. Also in February 2018, Fox News host Laura Ingraham told James to "shut up and dribble" in response to his political views, leading to his creation of the documentary series Shut Up and Dribble.
February 2018: The Ringer Devoted a Week to James and Jordan in February 2018
In February 2018, The Ringer dedicated a week to comparing LeBron James and Michael Jordan, with Bill Simmons concluding that Jordan was still ahead.
June 29, 2018: James opts out of Cavaliers contract
On June 29, 2018, LeBron James opted out of his contract with the Cavaliers and became an unrestricted free agent.
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."
2018: Signed with Los Angeles Lakers
In 2018, LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
2018: All-Star Game format change
In 2018, the NBA All-Star Game format was changed to teams captained by the leading vote-getters from each conference. Prior to 2023, LeBron James was undefeated (5-0) as a captain.
February 2019: Executive Producing 2 Chainz's Album
In February 2019, James was announced as the executive producer of rapper 2 Chainz's new album, Rap or Go to the League, which aimed to celebrate black excellence and promote education and entrepreneurship.
November 2019: Previous Triple-Double Record
In November 2019, LeBron James set a record for the oldest player to record a triple-double, which he later broke in November 2024.
2019: Trademark Application for Taco Tuesday
In 2019, James filed for a trademark on the term "Taco Tuesday", but the request was denied by the United States Patent and Trademark Office because it was a commonplace term.
2019: Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2019, LeBron James was among Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
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".
July 2020: James' Rookie Card Sells for $1.8 Million
In July 2020, one of LeBron James' rookie cards was sold for $1.8 million at auction, briefly setting a record as the most expensive modern-day sports card.
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.
November 2020: Angel Investment in Lobos 1707
In November 2020, James became an angel investor in the tequila and mezcal company Lobos 1707.
December 22, 2020: Lakers Season Start
On December 22, 2020, the Lakers began their 2020-2021 season, which was reduced to 72 games, with a 116–109 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
2020: Won Championship with Lakers
In 2020, LeBron James won another NBA title with the Lakers, becoming the first player to win Finals MVP with three different teams.
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.
February 18, 2021: James reaches 35,000 career points
On February 18, 2021, LeBron James became the third player in NBA history to reach 35,000 career points, joining Hall of Famers Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. At 36 years and 50 days old, he was the youngest player to reach this milestone.
March 2021: Assistance in Buying the Atlanta Dream and Joining Fenway Sports Group
In March 2021, James assisted Renee Montgomery in her bid to buy the Atlanta Dream after frustration with Kelly Loeffler's comments on Black Lives Matter. Also in March 2021, he joined Fenway Sports Group as a partner.
2021: Joined by Anthony and Westbrook
In 2021 LeBron James was joined by Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook on the lakers team.
2021: Starred in Space Jam: A New Legacy
In 2021, LeBron James starred in the sports film "Space Jam: A New Legacy".
2021: Russell Westbrook's Triple-Double Record
In 2021, Russell Westbrook set a Lakers franchise record for consecutive triple-doubles, a record that LeBron James later tied on November 15, 2024.
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.
February 26, 2022: Streak of 25-point games
From December 19 to February 26, 2022, LeBron James had a streak of 23 consecutive 25-point games, playing 23 out of 27 games during this period.
June 2022: Launching Hana Kuma Media Company
In June 2022, James announced the launch of a new media company in partnership with Naomi Osaka and Maverick Carter, named Hana Kuma, which means "flower bear" in Japanese.
August 2022: Part Ownership of A.C. Milan
In August 2022, James, along with Drake, became part owners of the Italian football club A.C. Milan.
August 18, 2022: James re-signs with the Lakers
On August 18, 2022, LeBron James re-signed with the Lakers on a two-year, $97.1 million contract, making him the highest-paid athlete in NBA history at $528.9 million, surpassing Kevin Durant in all-time earnings.
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: 2022-23 Season
During the 2022-23 season, LeBron James finished the regular season with averages of 28.9 points per game, 8.3 rebounds per game, and 6.8 assists per game, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a season.
2022: Crypto.com NFT Airdrop and LeBron James Family Foundation Partnership
In 2022, Crypto.com launched an NFT airdrop campaign featuring the NBA champion, distributing 5,550 tokens to randomly chosen participants. Additionally, in 2022, James' charity, the LeBron James Family Foundation, partnered with Crypto.com to provide blockchain and Web3 education to underserved communities in Akron.
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.
2022: All-Star Game Victory
In 2022, at the NBA All-Star Game held in Cleveland, LeBron James led all players in fan votes with his 18th All-Star selection. His team achieved its fifth consecutive All-Star victory, defeating Team Durant 163–161, with James hitting the game-winning shot.
January 9, 2023: 66th Player of the Week Award
On January 9, 2023, LeBron James received his 66th Player of the Week award, doubling the career total of Kobe Bryant.
February 7, 2023: James becomes all-time leading scorer
On February 7, 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, marking a monumental career milestone.
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.
May 2023: James Becomes First Active NBA Player Billionaire
According to Forbes, in May 2023, LeBron James became the first active NBA player to achieve billionaire status.
June 2023: Most Followed Basketball Player on Instagram
As of June 2023, LeBron James is the most followed basketball player on Instagram, with over 155 million followers.
September 2023: Biogenesis Scandal Client Names Released in September 2023
In September 2023, ESPN reported that a new set of client names from the Biogenesis scandal had been released; included was Ernest "Randy" Mims, a longtime friend and business manager of LeBron James, as well as David Alexander, a well-known trainer of prominent athletes who co-owned a cold-pressed juice and smoothie business with Savannah. The DEA determined that there "was never any indication that LeBron James did anything wrong."
2023: Oldest player in the league
Entering the 2023–24 NBA season, LeBron James became the oldest player in the league, following the retirements of Udonis Haslem and Andre Iguodala.
2023: Lakers reach Western Conference Finals
In 2023, LeBron James led the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals, marking their second Conference Finals appearance in five seasons. They were ultimately swept by the Denver Nuggets.
2023: Became NBA's All-Time Leading Scorer
In 2023, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
2023: Won NBA Cup
In 2023, LeBron James won the inaugural NBA Cup with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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.
January 25, 2024: 20th NBA All-Star Selection
On January 25, 2024, LeBron James was named an All-Star starter for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, marking his 20th NBA All-Star selection and surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star selections in NBA history.
March 2024: Launch of Mind the Game Podcast
In March 2024, James and JJ Redick launched a podcast called Mind the Game, where they discussed basketball.
June 2024: Podcast Suspension
In June 2024, the Mind the Game podcast was suspended after JJ Redick was hired as the head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.
July 6, 2024: James re-signs with the Lakers
On July 6, 2024, LeBron James re-signed with the Lakers, continuing his career with the team.
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: 20 All-NBA Teams as of 2024
As of 2024, LeBron James has been named to 20 All-NBA Teams, including 13 times to the First Team, which are both NBA records.
2024: James' Career Averages Mentioned
As of 2024, LeBron James' career averages are 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game.
2024: First Father-Son Teammates
In 2024, LeBron James and his son Bronny became the first father-son teammates in league history.
2024: James Rejoined National Team on 2024 Olympic Squad
In 2024, after a 12-year gap, LeBron James rejoined the national team on the Olympic squad in Paris as Team Captain. He was named as one of the two Team USA flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the games. James led the team in rebounds and assists, recording his second Olympic triple double in a comeback win in the semi-final against Serbia. Team USA went on to win their fifth straight gold medal, defeating France 98–87 in the final game. James recorded 14 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists and was named the FIBA Men's Olympics MVP and was selected to the FIBA Men's Olympics All-Star Five. James became the third male basketball player to win three gold medals at the Olympics.
January 3, 2025: Most 30-point games in NBA history
On January 3, 2025, LeBron James surpassed Michael Jordan for the most 30-point games in NBA history with 563 games.
March 4, 2025: 50,000 Career Points
On March 4, 2025, LeBron James surpassed 50,000 career points across the regular season and playoffs during a 136–115 win against the New Orleans Pelicans.
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.
March 2025: Mind the Game Season 2
In March 2025, it was announced that Mind the Game will have a second season with Steve Nash replacing JJ Redick as James' new co-host.
2025: Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
In 2025, LeBron James was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team (also known as the "Redeem Team").
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.
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