APTER Early Life in Ohio eBron James s early life was sometimes difficult But he had the support of family and friends who wanted the best for him LeBron turned this good luck into relationships that helped him through an intense start to his career Growing up LeBron Raymone James was born on December 30 1984 in Akron Ohio His mother Gloria was only sixteen at the time of his birth and she would raise her only child alone LeBron never met his father It was difficult for Gloria to work and look after her young son She didn't have much help because her mom died three years after LeBron was born Her mother's death meant she also had to care for her two younger
Early Life in Ohio LeBron and his mom Gloria have always had a warm relationship They are pictured together here in 2009 Gloria her brothers and LeBron moved a lot and lived in rough neighborhoods while Gloria tried to find steady jobs They moved twelve times when LeBron was between the ages of five and eight The moves meant LeBron had to get adjusted to new schools and make new friends each time His young life was not stable and he would sometimes miss school He missed 82 lays out of 160 in fourth grade LeBron had a hard time growing up without a father and the many moves made him feel frustrated His mother was loving but busy making ends meet His uncles were great company but they were much older so they had their own friends LeBron spent a lot of time riding his bike just trying to stay out of
LEBRON JAMES NBA CHAMPION LeBron's basketball skills were clear even as a high school student Here he takes control of the ball for St Vincent St Mary High School in
Early Life in Ohio Focusing His Energy on Sports In school LeBron put his energy into football and basketball Through sports he found confidence and friends In fourth grade he met Frankie Walker Jr Sian Cotton Dru Joyce III and Willie McGee who all became his lifelong friends These relationships QUICK FACT taught LeBron that loyalty to and from friends and family is one of the keys to LeBron played wide receiver in happiness and success peewee football He scored nineteen touchdowns in his first LeBron was always faster and season with his team stronger than other kids which made him stand out in football and basketball His friend Frankie's father Frankie Sr saw his talent and knew he missed a lot of school He asked Gloria if LeBron could live with him and his wife Pam for a short time so they could help give him a more stable life Gloria worried about this but she agreed because she wanted LeBron to have what he needed to do well in life LeBron moved in with the Walkers in fifth grade His stable home was now shaped by Frankie Sr and Pam as well as his friend Frankie and Frankie s sisters Chanelle and Tanesha The kids had chores and their homework was checked LeBron's attendance and grades at school improved The next year he moved back with his mom but he still spent a lot of time with the Walkers Frankie Sr also taught LeBron about basketball LeBron and his four friends joined an Amateur Athletic QUICK FACT Union AAU team while in middle school The Fab Five as they called LeBron had a B average in high themselves traveled to tournaments and school His favorite class was had fun playing the game they loved as earth science part of the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars They also won big racking up more than 200 wins
