LeBron Raymone James (born December 30,
1984 in Akron, Ohio) is an American professional basketball
player who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). James, commonly nicknamed "King James," was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while still a sophomore in high
school at St. Vincent - St. Mary High
School, and was named Ohio's "Mr. Basketball" three times. At the age of 18, he was selected with the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cavaliers and signed a US$90 million shoe contract with
Nike before his NBA debut. He has since set numerous youngest
player records. During his first season, he received the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and in the following four seasons received All-NBA and All-Star honors. He has led the Cavaliers to consecutive playoff appearances in 2006, 2007, and 2008; in 2007, the team advanced to the Conference Finals for the first
time since 1992 and the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.