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Informationen zum Autor Crystal Hubbard has penned picture books, contemporary and historical romance novels, and short stories. This is her debut title in the Who HQ series. Klappentext "Today, LeBron James is an international superstar who has won four NBA Championships, earned two Olympic gold medals, written books, and starred in blockbuster movies. He has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Miami Heat, and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and has gained fans across the country as he led each of those three teams to victory. Many basketball lovers consider LeBron James to be one of the greatest players of all time. But how did LeBron come to be 'King James?' Find out all about LeBron's childhood, how he started playing basketball at the age of nine, and went on to rule the court in this new book for young readers!"-- Leseprobe Who Is LeBron James? On July 8, 2010, sports channel ESPN aired a special broadcast called The Decision . LeBron James was the reigning king of the National Basketball Association (NBA). King James, as he was nicknamed, was a free agent after playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers for seven seasons. Players who are free agents can choose the basketball team they wish to play for. LeBron sat down with sportscaster Jim Gray to announce the name of the basketball team he’d decided to join for the 2010–2011 season. The Decision —as it was called—was broadcast from a Boys & Girls Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. LeBron decided to make his announcement on live TV because ESPN agreed to donate the advertising money from the broadcast’s sponsors to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America organization, as well as to other charities. Throughout his career, LeBron had supported the Boys & Girls Clubs. Announcing the name of his new team on ESPN gave LeBron the chance to raise millions of dollars for the organization. Jim Gray never asked LeBron why he agreed to have his decision televised or why it was taking place at a Boys & Girls Club. Millions of people watched the show to hear LeBron say, “In this fall . . . This is very tough. In this fall, I’m going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat.” There were a lot of reactions to LeBron’s decision. Some Cleveland Cavaliers fans felt betrayed and even burned their No. 23 jerseys! That was LeBron’s jersey number. Basketball greats such as Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson criticized LeBron for making such a public display with his decision. LeBron was accused of placing his own fame above the game for announcing his decision on television. The Decision was the beginning of the most difficult time of LeBron’s career. Not everyone was disappointed by The Decision . Miami Heat fans celebrated, knowing that one of the greatest players in the game would be coming to their team. And LeBron himself knew that he was taking control of his own destiny. Chapter 1: A Prince Is Born On December 30, 1984, Gloria James gave birth to a boy at Summa Akron City Hospital in Akron, Ohio. She named him LeBron Raymone James. At sixteen years old, Gloria was a very young mother. She was determined to be a good mother. LeBron’s father was not a part of his life, but LeBron had family around him. He and Gloria lived with his grandmother Freda and his uncles Curt and Terry in a house on Hickory Street. Everyone helped Gloria care for LeBron. His uncle Curt, who was only nine years old, was one of LeBron’s earliest playmates. The family didn’t have much money, but they had plenty of love for LeBron. The family lived on Hickory Street in a rough neighborhood. Under the watchful eyes and constant care of his family, especially Grandma Freda, LeBron grew into a happy, athletic little boy. The year he turned three, LeBron discovered the joy of basketball. Gloria gave him a kiddie basketball and hoop set for Christmas. Ev...
