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The $845 Jersey & The Chosen One: 5 Shocking Facts About LeBron James' High School Career

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LeBron James' high school career at St. Vincent–St. Mary in Akron, Ohio, remains one of the most legendary and scrutinized periods in sports history, fundamentally changing the landscape of amateur athletics forever. What often gets overlooked are the specific, dramatic details—the controversies, the lifelong bonds, and the astronomical pressure that forged "The Chosen One" into a four-time NBA champion. As of December 2025, the legacy of the Fighting Irish's "Fab Five" is more relevant than ever, with key teammates making headlines in major college basketball and professional fields, proving that the foundation laid in Akron extends far beyond LeBron's own dominance. This deep dive uncovers the freshest and most unique facts about the four years that launched a global icon.

LeBron James: Biographical Profile

LeBron Raymone James is universally recognized as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, a journey that began in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. His high school years set the stage for a career defined by unprecedented success and longevity.

  • Full Name: LeBron Raymone James
  • Born: December 30, 1984
  • Birthplace: Akron, Ohio, U.S.
  • Alma Mater (High School): St. Vincent–St. Mary High School (Akron, Ohio)
  • NBA Draft: 2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1 (Cleveland Cavaliers)
  • Current Team (as of Dec 2025): Los Angeles Lakers
  • Key Achievements (Entities): 4x NBA Champion, 4x NBA MVP, 4x Finals MVP, NBA All-Time Scoring Leader, 21x NBA All-Star.

The Scandalous Price of Fame: The Hummer and the $845 Jersey

By his senior year, LeBron James was a national phenomenon, and with that fame came intense scrutiny from the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA). His high school career was briefly derailed by two separate, high-profile controversies that underscored the difficulty of managing a superstar talent in an amateur setting.

The Hummer H2 Investigation

Upon turning 18 in January 2003, James received a controversial birthday gift: a brand new Hummer H2 SUV. The luxury vehicle was a gift from his mother, Gloria James, who secured a loan to purchase it. The OHSAA launched a formal investigation into the source of the funds, as receiving such a gift could violate amateurism rules. Ultimately, James was cleared because the gift came from his mother and not an outside booster or agent, but the investigation itself became a national news story, highlighting the blurred lines between amateur and professional sports that James was navigating.

The $845 Retro Jersey Incident

A second, more damaging controversy occurred later in his senior season. James accepted two authentic retro jerseys valued at approximately $845 from an Akron clothing store. This time, the OHSAA ruled that accepting the merchandise violated their rules regarding accepting gifts of value. As a result, LeBron James was declared ineligible to play for the remainder of his high school career. The ruling was reduced to a two-game suspension after an appeal, allowing him to return and lead the Fighting Irish to another state title.

The "Chosen One" Prophecy: How a Magazine Cover Changed Everything

The label that would define LeBron James' entire career—"The Chosen One"—was cemented during his junior year by *Sports Illustrated*. This moment transformed him from a high school star to a cultural phenomenon.

The cover, published on February 18, 2002, featured the 17-year-old James in his St. Vincent–St. Mary jersey, accompanied by the now-iconic headline. It was an unprecedented move for the magazine to feature a high school athlete on its cover, signalling the immense hype surrounding his future NBA career.

The jersey he wore for that famous photoshoot—the green No. 23 St. Vincent–St. Mary jersey—later became a piece of history itself, fetching a staggering $1.3 million at auction, a testament to the enduring power of the "Chosen One" narrative.

More Than a Game: The Unbreakable Bond of the "Fab Five"

LeBron's dominance was built on the foundation of the legendary "Fab Five," a core group of childhood friends who played together from elementary school through high school. This group, which included James, Dru Joyce III, Sian Cotton, Romeo Travis, and Willie McGee, achieved a remarkable 101-6 record over four years, winning three Ohio Division III State Championships (2000, 2001, 2003) and a National Championship in 2003.

Where Are They Now? The Fab Five's Diverse Careers (2025 Update)

While none of the other four players made it to the NBA, their post-high school careers are a fascinating study in success outside the spotlight, with one member making major headlines in 2024/2025:

  • Dru Joyce III: In a major, recent development, Joyce III was named the Head Coach of the Duquesne University men's basketball team in March 2024. This move is particularly significant as he succeeded his former St. Vincent–St. Mary high school coach, Keith Dambrot, who had also coached him at the University of Akron.
  • Sian Cotton: Cotton took a completely different path, successfully transitioning from sports to academia. He is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and the Founding Director of the University of Cincinnati Center for Integrative Health and Wellness, a remarkable career shift.
  • Romeo Travis: Travis had a long and successful professional basketball career overseas, playing for numerous international clubs across Europe and the Middle East. He also played college basketball at the University of Akron, like Joyce III.
  • Willie McGee: McGee remained deeply involved in the St. Vincent–St. Mary community, where he has had a successful career in coaching and administration, including serving as the school's Athletic Director for seven years.

The Coaching Lineage: Dambrot and Joyce II

The success of the Fighting Irish was guided by two pivotal figures who are often overlooked in the LeBron narrative: Keith Dambrot and Dru Joyce II.

  • Keith Dambrot (Head Coach, Freshman/Sophomore Years): Dambrot was instrumental in shaping the young star, coaching the team to two straight state titles before leaving to coach at the University of Akron. His retirement from Duquesne in 2024 created the path for his former player, Dru Joyce III, to take over.
  • Dru Joyce II (Assistant Coach, then Head Coach): The father of Dru Joyce III, Joyce II was the assistant coach under Dambrot and took over as head coach for James' final two seasons. He was the coach during the controversial senior year and led the team to their third state title and the national championship, solidifying his place in the legendary story.

LeBron James’ time at St. Vincent–St. Mary was more than just a high school basketball run; it was a cultural flashpoint that set the blueprint for modern athlete fame. The stories of the "Fab Five," the controversial gifts, and the "Chosen One" label are not just historical footnotes—they are the critical chapters that explain the relentless pressure and unprecedented career of the kid from Akron.

lebron james high school
lebron james high school

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