Portrait · Clément Bardot / CC BY-SA 4.0

LeBron James

Professional basketball player, producer and entrepreneur

Born 1984

LeBron James is an American professional basketball player, producer and entrepreneur whose combination of size, playmaking, scoring and longevity has reshaped the modern NBA. Raised by his mother, Gloria, in Akron, Ohio, he became a national high-school phenomenon at St. Vincent–St. Mary and entered the league as Cleveland's first overall pick in 2003. Across two Cleveland tenures, four seasons with Miami, eight with the Los Angeles Lakers and a new Philadelphia chapter beginning in 2026, James became the NBA's all-time leading scorer, the first player to surpass 10,000 points, rebounds and assists, a four-time champion and four-time league MVP. He led Miami to consecutive titles in 2012 and 2013, fulfilled Cleveland's championship promise in 2016 and won the Lakers' 2020 title. Internationally, he earned three Olympic gold medals, carried the United States flag at Paris 2024 and was named that tournament's MVP. James has also built an extensive public record beyond basketball: he co-founded SpringHill and UNINTERRUPTED with Maverick Carter, starred in and produced screen projects, wrote the children's picture book I Promise, and built the LeBron James Family Foundation's education-and-family support network in Akron. In July 2026, after seriously considering retirement, he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for a record-extending 24th NBA season; in September he said Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and the opportunity to help Joel Embiid pursue a championship were central to the move. James called the choice his "last decision" and spoke of beginning the journey "one last time," but the reviewed team, NBA and Associated Press reports did not record a formal final-season or retirement-date announcement.

Verified identityCore facts checked against named sources.

Keep exploring

Connected people

ConnectionSavannah JamesHigh-school sweetheart, wife since 2013 and mother of their three children.

ConnectionBronny JamesEldest son and the teammate with whom James made NBA father-son history in 2024.

ConnectionMaverick CarterChildhood friend and long-term business partner across LRMR, SpringHill and UNINTERRUPTED.

Official records · wins and honours

Awards & Honours

Selected recognition linked to the awarding organisation or primary record.

2026
NBAIndustry honor
Record 22nd All-Star Selection
LeBron James
Official record
2026
TIMEIndustry honor
TIME100 Sports Cover Star
LeBron James
Official record
2024
United States Olympic & Paralympic CommitteeIndustry honor
Team USA Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer
LeBron James
Official record
2024
Olympic GamesIndustry honor
Men's Basketball Gold Medal
LeBron James
Official record
2024
FIBACompetitive win
Paris Olympic Men's Basketball Most Valuable Player
LeBron James
Official record
2023
NBAIndustry honor
All-Time Scoring Leader
LeBron James
Official record
2023
NBA CupCompetitive win
Champion and Most Valuable Player
LeBron James
Official record
2021
NBAIndustry honor
75th Anniversary Team
LeBron James
Official record
2021
Television AcademyNomination
Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program — Becoming nomination
LeBron James
Official record
2020
NBACompetitive win
NBA Champion and Finals MVP
LeBron James
Official record
2016
NBACompetitive win
NBA Champion and Finals MVP
LeBron James
Official record
2013
NBACompetitive win
Most Valuable Player
LeBron James
Official record
2013
NBACompetitive win
NBA Champion and Finals MVP
LeBron James
Official record
2012
NBACompetitive win
Most Valuable Player
LeBron James
Official record
2012
NBACompetitive win
NBA Champion and Finals MVP
LeBron James
Official record
2012
Olympic GamesIndustry honor
Men's Basketball Gold Medal
LeBron James
Official record
2010
NBACompetitive win
Most Valuable Player
LeBron James
Official record
2009
NBACompetitive win
Most Valuable Player
LeBron James
Official record
2008
Olympic GamesIndustry honor
Men's Basketball Gold Medal
LeBron James
Official record
2004
NBACompetitive win
Rookie of the Year
LeBron James
Official record

Record 22nd All-Star Selection

TIME100 Sports Cover Star

Team USA Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer

Men's Basketball Gold Medal

Paris Olympic Men's Basketball Most Valuable Player

All-Time Scoring Leader

Champion and Most Valuable Player

75th Anniversary Team

Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program — Becoming nomination

NBA Champion and Finals MVP

NBA Champion and Finals MVP

Most Valuable Player

NBA Champion and Finals MVP

Most Valuable Player

NBA Champion and Finals MVP

Men's Basketball Gold Medal

Most Valuable Player

Most Valuable Player

Men's Basketball Gold Medal

Rookie of the Year