NBA icon LeBron James has enjoyed one of the most impressive careers in the history of basketball.
He has four NBA Championships, been named the NBA Finals MVP on four occasions, and been selected in the NBA All-star team an astounding 21 times.
James made his NBA debut in 2003 and has not looked back since, going on to enjoy two spells with the Cleveland Cavaliers and a successful stint with the Miami Heat before joining his current side, the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, his remarkable rise to the top of the sport could have been stopped before it even got off the ground.
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You see, James fell victim to the USA’s famously strict amateur player rules, which prevent any amateur sportsman or woman from accepting gifts.
The unfortunate twist of fate was revealed on the 1st of February 2003, when he was declared ineligible to play by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
They judged that the basketball star should not be allowed to play after he accepted two basketball jerseys with a combined value of $845 from a clothing shop in Ohio.
He received a Gale Sayers Chicago Bears replica jersey and a Wes Unseld Washington Bullets jersey from Next Urban Gear and Music in exchange for taking some photos inside the store.
James’ high school coach, Dru Joyce, was one of the first people to jump to his defence.
He argued that the high school student should not be built up, only to be torn down over a minor indiscretion.
”I think it’s unfair how this whole process has worked.
“What the media has done in a sense is build this kid to a level that was impossible to live up to.
“Bron never called himself the ‘The Chosen One,’ like Sports Illustrated.
“He never said he was the greatest high school player ever. You guys built him up.
“Now everybody wants to knock him down.”
James did not give up, and was able to ensure that the decision was overturned so that he could finish his high school basketball career in style.
By that point, it was clear that James was a special talent, and several stars of the NBA, including Shaquille O’Neal, spoke out in his defence.
Topics: NBA, Lebron James
Jonathan Bray