LeBron James entered the NBA as one of the biggest prospects in the history of the league. He was drafted into the NBA right out of high school and made an instant impact.
But what if James was drafted a year earlier? Would he make the same impact? Well, many fans wanted LeBron to enter for the draft after completing his junior year in high school. In his diary with SLAM magazine, James explained why it was impossible for him to enter the NBA after his junior year.
“There was a lot of hype this summer [2002] about me trying to get into the draft after my junior year of high school,” James wrote. “Here’s the real: It’s not going to happen. It really can’t happen and I’m not even going to be pressured about it. People overreacted, but that’s what reporters do sometimes. Regardless, I’m gonna stay. I got my three best friends here at St. V, and I want to graduate with them. End of story.”
James put the rumors to sleep and went back to playing basketball in high school and averaged 25.3 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 5.0 APG in his career. He finished his senior year and then declared for the 2003 NBA Draft. It was the beginning of a phenomenal career that has lasted for 20 seasons so far.
LeBron James Will Return To The NBA For His 21st Season
LeBron James finally made up his mind about wanting to return for year 21 in the NBA. He was in doubt after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the Western Conference Finals in the 2023 playoffs at the hands of the Denver Nuggets.
James made the revelation at the 2023 ESPYS Awards. The King will be back as he is yet to lose motivation for playing the game of basketball.
“The day I can’t give the game everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done. Lucky for you guys, that day is not today.”
The 38-year-old averaged 28.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 6.8 APG last season. Can he average similar numbers in the 2023-24 NBA season? We will find out soon.
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