LeBron James

Behind 23 chase-down blocks and a career-high 93 total blocks, he finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and made his first All-Defensive Team. His all-around game was also as strong as ever as he improved his free throw shooting to a career-high 78 percent and made a league-leading 594 free throws. He was named NBA Player of the Month four times, becoming the second player in league history after Kevin Garnett to do so. He also became the fourth player in NBA history to lead his team in all five major statistical categories (total points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks) in one season. Behind his play and the acquisition of All-Star Mo Williams, the Cavaliers went a franchise record 66–16 and were in the running for the best home record in league history. Cleveland's stellar record and James' terrific averages of 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and a career-high 1.2 blocks per game resulted in him becoming the first Cavalier to win the MVP Award. Read Less

For the tournament, he averaged 18.1 points, 4.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals on a tournament-high 76 percent shooting and 62.2 percent three-point shooting percentage. At the Olympics, Team USA reclaimed the gold medal, defeating Spain 118–107 in the final game. James turned in 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists as the team went unbeaten, winning their first gold medal since 2000. It was later reported that he was originally at risk for not being included on the national team's roster due to his immaturity and "downright disrespectfulness". Read Less

It was shown on a large screen above the stage, where Jay-Z later held a free concert.

James, with comedian Jimmy Kimmel, co-hosted the 2007 ESPY Awards. James himself was nominated for three ESPYs: Best Male Athlete, Best NBA Player, and Best Record Breaking Performance, winning for Best NBA Player, which he would win again at the 2009 ESPY Awards. Read Less

He proposed to her at a party to celebrate New Year’s Eve and his 27th birthday.

James has endorsement contracts with Nike, Sprite, Glacéau, Bubblicious, Upper Deck, McDonald's, State Farm, Dunkin' Brands, and Audemars Piguet. His initial contract with Nike was worth almost $90 million. In 2007, he acted in a series of Nike commercials called "The LeBrons". Two years later, he had his likeness voiced by Kenan Thompson in another series of Nike commercials titled "MVPuppets". Read Less

As part of the deal, he and his manager Maverick Carter were granted minority stakes in the English Premier League football club Liverpool F.C. As a result of his endorsement money and NBA salary, James is routinely listed as one of the world's highest-paid athletes.

James has shown a passion for the entertainment industry. In 2009, he was featured in the Lions Gate documentary More Than a Game. He has also tried his hand at acting, appearing in a cameo role on the HBO series Entourage. Recently, he and rapper Ice Cube pitched a one-hour special to ABC based on James' life. James will act as executive producer if the show is greenlighted.

James' public life has been eagerly followed since high school, and in 2010 he was ranked by Forbes as the second most influential athlete behind Lance Armstrong. As a member of the Cavaliers, he was adored by local fans, with Sherwin-Williams displaying a giant Nike-produced banner of James on their world headquarters throughout his tenure with the team. Despite their affection for James, Cleveland fans and critics were frequently annoyed when he attended Cleveland Indians games against the New York Yankees dressed in a Yankees hat. Following his actions during the 2010 free agency period and, more specifically, The Decision, he has been routinely listed as one of the most disliked athletes. A philanthropist, he is an active supporter of the Boys & Girls Club of America, Children's Defense Fund, and ONEXONE. Read Less