Image via Complex Original
Ever since elementary school, people have known about LeBron James. But do you really know LeBron? In this day and age, it's hard to keep under wraps, especially when you're one of the most recognizable athletes in the world today. But maybe there are some things you don't know about the man hailing from Akron, OH.
From his rough childhood that made him into the dominant player you see in the NBA today to the moment he nearly broke his neck, there's plenty you may not know about The King. As the four-time regular season MVP and two-time NBA champion (go ahead and weep, haters) celebrates his birthday, we've compiled a list of the 25 Things You Didn't Know About LeBron James.
RELATED: 50 Things You Didn't Know About Michael Jordan
RELATED: LeBron James Jr. Already Showing Promise
In fourth grade, he missed 82 of 160 school days.
LeBron's mother, Gloria James, spent seven days in county jail for committing petty crimes like trespassing and disorderly conduct. As a result, James was too ashamed to go to school and missed the majority of fourth grade. James made up for it with perfect attendance in the fifth grade.
The International Management Group looked into LeBron as early as ninth grade.
With the way scouting in sports is going nowadays, it seems like IMG was a little late.
Jordan's personal orthopedist and trainer helped LeBron rehab after he broke his wrist in an AAU game in Chicago.
LeBron broke his non-shooting wrist in an AAU game the summer before his senior year. Not only did this scare the hell out of the future No. 1 pick, but it also reportedly ended his football career.
LeBron tried to declare for the NBA Draft after his junior year in high school.
After a loss in the Division II Championship game (and a Gatorade National Player of the Year Award), LeBron tried to petition the NBA. Before the NBA's "one-and-done" rule was implemented in 2006, no one could be drafted until they graduated from high school.
After surpassing Jordan's 6'6'' height, he refused to be measured.
The summer before his sophomore year, LeBron sprouted over six inches (at six feet he was already a top-five AAU prospect). After that, James refused to be measured because he wanted to retain his anonymity, saying "I don't want anybody to know my identity. I'm like a superhero. Call me: 'Basketball Man.'" Tough secret to keep when you're that tall and the top basketball player in the country.
LeBron's favorite subject in high school was Earth Science.
We guess those thick goggles ain't just for show.
LeBron and MJ are the only players to win a regular season MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.
James completed the trifecta last year after winning his first NBA title at the age of 27. Michael Jordan did it back in 1992 after winning his second title at the age of 29. Let the debate continue.
LeBron and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are the only two players to ever win at least two MVP awards by 25.
The NBA legend formerly known as Lew Alcindor won back in 1970-71 with the Milwaukee Bucks. LeBron James snagged his first MVP honor in 2008-09 with the Cavs. Anyone who questioned whether LeBron was adequately prepared without college basketball experience should be eating crow right now.
His first Nikes were inspired by the Hummer H2 after the scandal that involved his mom getting him the car in high school.
After securing a loan, his mother used the money to buy the Hummer H2 for LeBron. We wonder if she just had to say her son was the NBA's "Chosen One" to get approval from the bank.
LeBron served a one-game suspension in high school for receiving throwback jerseys.
Eventually amateur athletics will get their shit together. Then again, maybe not.
In his second time back to Cleveland, LeBron reportedly missed the introductions because he used the bathroom.
Get booed or take a dump? We think he made the right "decision." Zing!
James was almost left off the 2008 USA Basketball Team because "no one could stand James as a 19-year-old in the 2004 Athens Olympics, nor the 2006 World Championships."
The architect of the USA basketball team, Jerry Colangelo, and Coach Krzyzewski thought they had a gold locked up by simply adding Kobe. That made LeBron dispensable. It's not surprising to find out a kid as talented as James had his fair share of "enablers." So, Team USA used Jason Kidd as the savvy vet to teach LeBron how to conduct himself during the 2007 Tournament of the Americas.
LeBron is part owner of Liverpool FC.
If you ever have a few million sitting around, we'd suggest you do the same. LeBron was humbled by the football club's success, saying, "18 championships, I see myself trying to do the same things they have." Just 17 more to go.
Jay-Z's "Blow the Whistle" freestyle was in defense of LeBron after The King was called overrated by DeShawn Steven
It pays to have friends in high places. Listen closely as Jay advises LeBron to sleep with Stevenson's girlfriend. Keep it classy, Jay.
LeBron tore down a rim during a practice scrimmage on Nov. 16, 2002 in Stow, Ohio and according to ESPN the Magazine, he nearly broke his neck.
Sure the team trainer wanted to know if LeBron was OK, but dear God, somebody think about the rim!
He used to live with his Pee Wee football team coach, Frankie Walker, and his family while LeBron's mother Gloria p
LeBron also credits Coach Walker with introducing him to the game of basketball.
He has a tradition of getting German chocolate cake for his birthday.
This was a tradition that started when he was living with Coach Walker.
Michael Jordan wanted him to attend his private scrimmages in Chicago the summer before his junior year in high school.
At the end of the scrimmages, Jordan gave LeBron his cell phone number, but James' buddies got a hold of MJ's phone number, called him, then hung up. Not long after the number was changed. His Airness probably should've seen that coming.
Initially, he wore No. 32 in high school because his second-favorite player Dr. J "wore it at first."
Dr. J called it quits when LeBron was two-years-old so we always find it odd when someone's favorite player retires before they can read and write. But hey, at least the man gives credit to the legends. He also wore Jordan's No. 23 before he dumped it and said he thought the entire NBA should retire the number.
He has a secret handshake with Jay-Z.
This makes all other secret handshakes feel obsolete. Also, LeBron used this moment to introduce Norris Cole to Jay.
During a Teachers vs. Students game in 8th grade, he got the ball on a breakaway and threw down his first dunk.
LeBron was six feet tall when he was in the 8th grade at Riedinger Middle School in Akron, Ohio. The only thing that would've been better is posterizing the principal.
He now wears No. 6 because "my first child was born on Oct. 6, it's my Olympic number and my second child was born in June."
It was time for The Chosen One to forge his own path anyway.
His high school coach made him do 10 push ups every time he would curse.
Who knew LeBron's high school coach had bigger balls than Coach Spo?
As a high school senior, he attended the adidas ABCD Camp wearing Nike sneakers and at the Nike All-American Camp,
When you're the King, you do what you want.
He writes and eats left-handed but shoots with his right hand.
God help us all if he ever gets this down.