LeBron James

Born: 30 December 1984

Birthplace: Akron, Ohio

Best known as: Youthful superstar of the Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James is the star guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. James was a high school phenomenon; he skipped college to jump straight to the NBA, at the same time signing a $90 million endorsement deal with Phil Knight's Nike shoe company. Many wondered if James could live up to the public's intense expectations, but he did: during the 2003-04 season he had 20.9 points, 5.7 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game, and was voted Rookie of the Year for leading the Cavaliers to a 35-47 season (the previous year they were 17-65). He became a popular and marketable player and joined Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade as one of the NBA's big attractions. In 2006 the Cavaliers made their first playoff appearance since 1998, and James signed a contract extension worth $60 million that would keep him with the Cavaliers through the 2009-10 season. James played on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team in Athens, and on the U.S. team at the 2006 World Championships.

Extra credit: James wears uniform number 23, the number made famous by Michael Jordan... For his 2004 Olympics uniform he chose number 9, the number worn by Jordan in the 1984 and 1992 games.