Even after the Los Angeles Lakers’ early playoff exit in 2025, LeBron James continues to prove that his impact transcends the basketball court. In a heartwarming show of mentorship and philanthropy, the 40-year-old NBA icon teamed up with RFK Racing to help a student from his hometown of Akron, Ohio, experience a once-in-a-lifetime NASCAR dream.
It all began during a virtual lecture at Ohio State University in February. CeCe Wilson, a junior at Akron’s STEM High School and a participant in the LeBron James Family Foundation’s I PROMISE program, asked LeBron how someone like him could ever break into the NASCAR world. LeBron’s response was immediate and unwavering:
“Say no more, Cece. I’ll get right on there. Over the last few years, we’ve made a lot of connections with a lot of people in NASCAR. And if that’s something that you’re super passionate about, we will make sure that you will get to some events.”
“Be able to be there, get into the cockpit, see some of the cars, how they are built, how these guys race. We will get that done. I can’t get a lot of things done, but I can get that done for you.”
James kept his word. Months later, CeCe and his family were invited to the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway through a collaboration between LeBron’s foundation and RFK Racing.
The young student was given an all-access pass into NASCAR, meeting elite drivers like Brad Keselowski, Chris Buescher, and Ryan Preece.
He toured the garages, spent time in the pit, and observed how racing teams operate behind the scenes. For a kid who had only dreamed of being involved in motorsports, it was a moment that made the impossible feel suddenly real.
In a video shared by the LeBron James Family Foundation, CeCe’s mother, Sarah Wilson, summed up the moment perfectly:
“There’s no greater joy than watching your kid’s dream come true. I didn’t think it was attainable for a kid like him. Now he knows it is. Because of LeBron saying ‘I got you,’ he made his impossible possible.”
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CeCe, beaming with gratitude, acknowledged just how much the opportunity meant to him. LeBron, who shared the video of the experience on Instagram without a caption, let the visuals speak for themselves. It was a quiet but powerful nod to his mission: to uplift Akron’s youth and show them that dreams are within reach.
This act of generosity underscores the broader mission of the LeBron James Family Foundation, which has spent years transforming lives in Akron through education, opportunity, and belief.
By turning CeCe’s curiosity into a real-world experience, LeBron didn’t just open a door; he helped a young man realize that doors like that can be opened at all.
Whether on a basketball court or at a NASCAR track, LeBron James continues to redefine what greatness looks like. It’s not just about stats or championships. Sometimes, it’s about one promise and one kid from Akron helping another believe in something bigger.
