LeBron James

Appears on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a high school junior. The headline: "The Chosen One." He is 17, a student at St. Vincent-St. Mary, and his games are moved to the University of Akron arena because no high school gym can hold the crowds. ESPN broadcasts his games nationally.

Selected first overall in the NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is 18 years old, straight from high school. His first Nike deal is worth million over seven years. He hasn't played a professional game.

Announces on a nationally televised ESPN special called "The Decision" that he's leaving Cleveland for the Miami Heat. "I'm going to take my talents to South Beach." Cleveland fans burn his jersey. His former owner writes a letter in Comic Sans calling him a coward. The backlash is immediate and vicious.

Loses the NBA Finals to the Dallas Mavericks. His performance in the fourth quarter of close games is scrutinized relentlessly. Critics say he disappears in big moments. He averages 17.8 points in the series, his worst playoff performance.

Wins his first NBA championship with the Heat, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder. Named Finals MVP. He wins again in 2013. Two rings, two Finals MVPs. Miami is vindication.

Wins the NBA championship with Cleveland, coming back from a 3-1 deficit against the 73-win Golden State Warriors. No team had ever done it in Finals history. He has 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and a chase-down block in Game 7 that becomes the defining image of his career. He falls to his knees on the court and cries. Cleveland hasn't won a major sports championship in 52 years.

Opens the I Promise School in Akron for at-risk kids. Public school, free tuition, free meals, free bicycles, guaranteed college tuition at the University of Akron. He funds it through his foundation. Every student gets a mentor.

Wins his fourth championship with the Lakers in the NBA bubble at Walt Disney World during the COVID-19 pandemic. Named Finals MVP. He's now won titles with three different franchises. He is 35.

Scores his 38,388th point against the Oklahoma City Thunder, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time leading scorer. The record had stood since 1989. Abdul-Jabbar is in the arena. The game stops. The crowd stands. LeBron is 38 years old and still playing 35 minutes a night.

Plays alongside his son Bronny James on the Lakers. First father-son duo to play together in NBA history. LeBron is 39. Bronny is 20. LeBron passes to Bronny for his first basket. The crowd loses it.