James announced Friday, July 24 that he will sign with the Sixers in a move that lands James on his fourth different team across his NBA-record 24 seasons. Yet, despite his career earnings and despite his stature as the premier player of this generation, James’ contract with Philadelphia will be worth $8 million over two years, with the final season being a player option, a person with direct knowledge of the contract confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not publicly authorized to discuss terms of the deal.
LeBron James contract details
The contract gives James some flexibility at the end of the 2026-27 season, allowing him to opt in for 2027-28. The deal is essentially the veteran minimum exception.
It is, furthermore, the most affordable contract of James’ career and only rivals the average annual salary of his rookie deal ($4.7 million per season).
In short, James’ contract is so team-friendly because he can afford it. James and his agent, Rich Paul, had said repeatedly in the leadup to Friday’s announcement that money would not be a significant factor in determining his next team. None of his finalists – the Sixers, Cavaliers, Heat, Warriors and Timberwolves – were operating with much cap space, though each had been reserving a small slice in case James decided to join them.
“I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship.”
Given the massive haul of his career earnings — not to mention all of the off-court revenue he generates over his various businesses and endorsement deals — James had the ability to be selective and sign on to the team he felt most capable of winning a championship.
Given that the 76ers retooled and added Jaylen Brown in a massive trade, James joins a roster that is ready to compete with the very best teams in the East.
Less than a year after being hired, former Vancouver Canucks pro scout and 19-year NHL veteran Jack Johnson has departed from the organization. Johnson was hired by the Canucks back at the start of January, with this being his first official post-playing career NHL role.
Johnson’s 1228-NHL game career resulted in a grand total of 77 goals, 265 assists, and one Stanley Cup as a member of the Avalanche in 2021–22. In his most recent season, 2024–25 as a member of the Blue Jackets, the defenceman put together six assists in 41 games.
Now departing from the NHL, Johnson will continue his post-playing career as the associate coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes’ women’s team in the NCAA. Ohio State most recently won NCAA championships in 2022 and 2024.
Apr 6, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman jack Johnson (3) skates with the puck in the first period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
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The announcement quickly took off on social media, as fans celebrated the Sixers becoming LeBron’s newest team.
In what he said was tue final free agency decision of his career, James expressed his continued passion for basketball and his determination to chase another title.
"I love this game, and I still have more to give," James wrote in a social media post. He emphasized that his primary motivation is to help end the 76ers’ 43-year championship drought. The new contract will usher him into his record-breaking 24th NBA season.
Here’s a look at some of the reactions pouring in across social media as basketball fans process the news of James taking his talents to Philadelphia.
Social media reacts to LeBron James' move to 76ers
Here are some social media reactions to LeBron James' announcement that he is joining the Philadelphia 76ers.
LEBRON IS COMING TO PHILLY.
By the power vested in me as the Governor of the great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a die-hard Sixers fan... I hereby proclaim today to be LEBRON JAMES DAY.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
What was first just a dream has become a frightening reality for those who may oppose the City of Brotherly Love.
Philadelphia now has both Michael Jordan AND LeBron James.
And now the Sixers are adding the second-best player (or so) in basketball history to their roster. It’s hard to believe it’s real but James is coming to Philly. Our good friends over at Liberty Ballers have full coverage of the big news.
I realize that not all BGN readers are also Sixers fans but this is clearly a huge development for Philly and the NBA writ large. We already have multiple entries in The Feed about this topic:
Wild times! And funny that two of the biggest names in the NBA GOAT debate, one of them being the actual player, are now in the same sports city.
Guessing we’ll see LeBron attending some Eagles games this season. And a larger Eagles presence at some Sixers games.
Welcome to the city! Let me know when you tryna tee it up 🏌🏽⛳️ @KingJames
James made it clear he had one goal in deciding to play for the 76ers after being courted by a plethora of teams including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves.
"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time," James wrote in a post to X.
James isn't alone in his belief about the 76ers being a championship-caliber squad. Oddsmakers believe the Philadelphia will be among the favorites to win the 2026-27 NBA title after inking the 22-time All-Star to a two-year, $8 million contract.
Even so, the 76ers haven't risen to the top of the list yet, as two Western Conference squads are the co-favorites to win the 2027 NBA Finals.
Here's a full look at how James signing with the 76ers has shaken up the NBA power structure.
Ranking NBA teams by odds after LeBron signs with 76ers
Odds via BetMGM as of Friday, July 24.
T-1. Oklahoma City Thunder (+275)
The Thunder have one of the NBA's deepest teams, led by perennial MVP candidate Shai Gligeous-Alexander and a quality collection of young talent headlined by Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Sam Presti retooled Oklahoma City's roster during the offseason to avoid the dreaded second apron, but the squad still has the talent needed to be one of the NBA's top contenders.
T-1. San Antonio Spurs (+275)
The Spurs made a surprise run to the 2026 NBA Finals as Victor Wembanyama blossomed into one of the league's most impressive two-way talents. If Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle can continue their development alongside Wembanyama, San Antonio's young core could soon power it to an NBA title.
3. New York Knicks (+800)
The Knicks won their first NBA title since 1973, dispatching the Spurs in five games during the 2026 NBA Finals. Can New York do it again? The Knicks are returning most of that title-winning core, and the chemistry possessed by the Jalen Brunson-led starting five should make the team a tough out in the Eastern Conference.
4. Philadelphia 76ers (+1000)
No team has improved more during the 2026 NBA offseason than the 76ers. Not only did they ink LeBron on a two-year contract, they also traded Paul George and two first-round picks to add Jaylen Brown to their starting lineup. Adding those two talents to a strong core that already featured Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe could allow Philadelphia to emerge as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
5. Boston Celtics (+1400)
The Celtics made a head-scratching trade dealing Brown to the 76ers for George. Even so, Boston has been a perennial contender under Joe Mazzulla and shored up one of its biggest weaknesses by signing center Mitchell Robinson from the Knicks in free agency. That should allow the Celtics to remain competitive, though their overreliance on the 3-point shot could again be their undoing.
6. Denver Nuggets (+2200)
The Nuggets are returning most of the team that went 54-28 last season and finished third in the Western Conference standings. Perennial MVP Nikola Jokic and microwave scorer Jamaal Murray remain an elite duo, so Denver can be expected to once again have one of the league's most potent offenses.
T-7. Cleveland Cavaliers (+2500)
The Cavaliers were unable to lure LeBron James back to Cleveland for a third go-round with his hometown team. As such, the Cavs will rely on Donovan Mitchell and James Harden to carry them during the upcoming season. Their newest piece, veteran point guard Dennis Schroeder, will help give the team another ball-handling option after being acquired as part of the DeAndre Hunter trade.
T-7. Detroit Pistons (+2500)
The Pistons were the Eastern Conference's lone 60-win team last season but couldn't get past the Knicks after being taken to seven games in the first round by the Orlando Magic. Cade Cunningham remains Detroit's primary building block but the supporting cast around him will look different in 2026-27, as the Pistons offloaded Tobias Harris, Caris LeVert and Isaiah Stewart while bringing in John Collins and Isaiah Joe, among others.
T-7. Minnesota Timberwolves (+2500)
The Timberwolves were a sleeper in the James sweepstakes but couldn't persuade him to come to Minnesota. Now, the Timberwolves will rely on the young duo of Anthony Edwards and offseason trade acquisition LaMelo Ball to help them get to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
T-7. Toronto Raptors (+2500)
The Raptors are awaiting approval for the trade that landed Kawhi Leonard back in Toronto. If it goes through, it will raise the Raptors' ceiling. If not, Toronto could once again find itself battling to avoid the play-in tournament amid a crowd of Eastern Conference playoff teams.
As the Detroit Red Wings prepare for the 2026-27 season, one of the biggest questions surrounding the organization is what the next phase of the rebuild will look like and which young prospects are ready to establish themselves as full-time NHLers.
Last season marked a significant milestone for Detroit's youth movement with Emmitt Finnie, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård all earning spots on the Red Wings' opening-night roster, offering fans a glimpse of the organization's promising future.
Finnie emerged as the lone rookie to secure a long-term role in Detroit, while Brandsegg-Nygård returned to the minors after a brief NHL stint. Sandin-Pellikka remained with the Red Wings for 68 games before also heading back to continue his development, gaining valuable NHL experience along the way.
The biggest in-season arrival, however, came when the Red Wings finally called up 2023 ninth-overall draft pick Nate Danielson.
With Detroit continuing its search for an impact center, expectations were high when the 21-year-old from Red Deer, Alberta, made his NHL debut. While flashes of his potential were evident, Danielson's first taste of NHL action proved to be more of a learning experience than an immediate breakout.
Danielson recorded two goals and five assists for seven points in 28 games before an injury prematurely ended his season. Although the offensive production fell short of what many fans had hoped for, the young center gained valuable experience adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NHL.
Heading into training camp, Danielson appears poised for another opportunity as Elite Prospects currently projects him to make Detroit's opening-night roster, and a strong offseason could significantly improve his chances of securing a permanent role.
If Danielson can build on the lessons learned during his first NHL stint and arrive at camp stronger and more confident, he could become an important piece of Detroit's lineup when the Red Wings open the season against the New York Rangers.
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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - MAY 12: Anthony Edwards #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves warms up before Game Five of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center on May 12, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
And just like that, it was over.
BREAKING: LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option, Klutch Sports Group and Klutch CEO and Game Over show host Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ALOlTkgdAV
One tweet from Shams Charania was all it took to end several weeks of speculation, amateur detective work, Timberwolves emoji analysis, and increasingly elaborate attempts to convince ourselves that LeBron James had always dreamed of spending the final chapter of his career in Minneapolis.
According to Charania, acting on information from Rich Paul, LeBron will join the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year contract for the upcoming season. Minutes later, James confirmed the decision with a post of his own on X, officially closing the door on Minnesota and ending his latest “Where will he go?” saga.
He is not taking his talents to Lake Minnetonka to form a super team with Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball. He is not slipping into the glaring vacancy at power forward, organizing Minnesota’s offense, chasing another championship, and forcing the NBA to place half the Timberwolves’ schedule on national television.
Instead, LeBron has decided to hitch the twilight of his career to Joel Embiid’s knees, which at this point appear to be held together by athletic tape, optimism, and whatever material IKEA uses for the backs of inexpensive bookshelves. Good luck with that.
The news is disappointing, even if it is not exactly shocking. Minnesota was reportedly among the handful of serious contenders, but there was always a difference between being in the conversation and being the final choice. Wolves fans understood that. There was no guarantee that the greatest player of his generation would suddenly look at the Upper Midwest and decide this was the natural destination for the closing act of his career.
Still, it was fun to imagine. For a few weeks, Wolves fans could picture LeBron wearing Minnesota colors and occupying the precise position this roster still needs to fill. On a purely basketball level, the fit made an enormous amount of sense. The Wolves currently have a glaring hole at power forward after an offseason that sent Julius Randle to Brooklyn and Naz Reid to Charlotte. James could have stepped naturally between Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert, giving Minnesota a formidable three-four-five combination built around length, strength, intelligence, and defensive versatility.
He also would have been joining Anthony Edwards at exactly the moment Edwards is beginning to make a credible push toward becoming the face of the league. That part mattered beyond wins, losses, and lineup combinations. LeBron choosing Minnesota would have represented the most dramatic validation imaginable for a franchise that spent most of its history as a punchline. For decades, imagining a player of LeBron’s stature voluntarily signing with Minnesota would have required the kind of suspension of disbelief normally reserved for superhero movies.
But the organization is not that franchise anymore. Under Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore, with Tim Connelly reshaping the basketball operation and Edwards becoming a legitimate superstar, the Timberwolves have climbed out of the NBA basement and established themselves near the top of the Western Conference. They have become a legitimate contender. National media members have spent the past weeks talking about Minnesota as a place where championships might actually be won rather than somewhere promising seasons go to die.
That is why LeBron’s final decision stings, but it should not erase the significance of Minnesota being involved in the first place. The Wolves did not win the sweepstakes, but they were invited into the room. For this franchise, that alone represents progress.
Of course, progress does not solve the power-forward problem. The Wolves dramatically reshaped their roster this summer. Randle and Reid, two cornerstone pieces of the team’s recent success, are gone. Their departures carried an obvious basketball cost and, in Reid’s case, a substantial emotional one. It remains to be seen how Connelly and Finch will address the void created by their departures.
Those tough transactions allowed the Wolves to acquire LaMelo Ball from Charlotte, creating one of the most exciting backcourts in the NBA. Ball and Edwards now give Minnesota an almost absurd amount of creativity, athleticism, flair, and offensive possibility. Together, they could produce the kind of nightly highlight package that would have consumed Sports Center back in the 90’s.
Minnesota still has Gobert anchoring the middle and providing the basis for an elite defense. He remains a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and, unlike Philadelphia’s preferred center, actually stays on the court.
Oh, and I forgot to mention…. “We got Jaden McDaniels.”
That sentence should never be treated as an afterthought.
Ball, Edwards, McDaniels, and Gobert form an impressive foundation. The roster may be imperfectly configured, especially at power forward, but its strengths are obvious and substantial.
While the LeBron drama has been sucking the oxygen out of the room, other Wolves developments flew under the radar. Apparently, Anthony Edwards got married, adding another unexpected chapter to an offseason already packed with roster changes, superstar rumors, and franchise-altering decisions. That news may not change Minnesota’s offensive rating, but it contributes to the larger sense that Edwards is entering a different phase of his life and career.
Signs of that evolution are beginning to show up elsewhere. Reports suggest that Edwards is attempting to organize a team gathering in Paris so the new-look roster can build cohesion alongside Gobert. That may sound like a minor offseason detail, but leadership is often revealed through exactly these kinds of actions. Edwards has always possessed the charisma, confidence, and talent of a franchise player. The next stage is becoming the person who actively shapes the team’s culture, brings teammates together, and understands that championship contention begins long before opening night.
For the first time, there is no question about whose team this is. Randle is gone. Reid is gone. Mike Conley’s veteran influence has diminished as Edwards has ascended. LeBron is heading somewhere else. Ant is now the undisputed leader of the Minnesota Timberwolves, not merely their most talented player. That distinction matters.
There have been moments in Edwards’ career when his immense ability appeared to be developing faster than his maturity. That is not unusual for a young superstar, particularly one who entered the league with the personality and confidence to command a room before he had fully learned how to command a franchise. But organizing offseason workouts, prioritizing team chemistry, and showing renewed energy after the acquisition of Ball all suggest that Edwards understands the responsibility now sitting in front of him. The Wolves do not need him to become LeBron James. They need him to become the fullest possible version of Anthony Edwards.
The Western Conference will not make it easy. It never does. Oklahoma City remains a powerhouse, although the financial realities of the second apron have begun pressing against its roster. San Antonio has rapidly become a major threat, and the Wolves know firsthand how difficult that matchup can be. Minnesota pushed the Spurs to the limit despite a hobbled Edwards, no Donte DiVincenzo, and the complete disappearance of Julius Randle.
The Wolves came close under difficult circumstances. Now they will return with a dramatically different offensive structure, a rejuvenated Edwards, and Ball providing the playmaking they sorely lacked. There will be growing pains. The frontcourt balance remains unresolved. The chemistry between the new backcourt will require time. Ball’s health will always be part of the equation.
Could the Wolves fare better than LeBron’s new team? That is impossible to answer in July, but Philadelphia’s path is hardly risk-free. James may believe the Sixers provide his best championship opportunity, yet their entire plan rests heavily on Embiid remaining available when the games matter most. Recent history suggests that is less a roster strategy than an annual hostage negotiation with the human body.
Perhaps Philadelphia will put everything together. Maybe Embiid will stay healthy, LeBron will summon one more deep postseason run, and the Sixers will finally escape the maze of second-round disappointments that has defined this era. Or maybe the New York Knicks will ceremoniously bounce them from the playoffs again while Philadelphia wonders why it built another championship plan around a center who cannot reliably survive until May.
For Wolves fans, the correct response is neither despair nor denial. LeBron would have helped. His arrival would have elevated Minnesota’s profile, solved a positional need, and delivered one of the most important moments in franchise history. Losing that possibility is disappointing.
But the Wolves are not suddenly lost because a 41-year-old superstar chose another destination. Their future remains tied to Edwards, Ball, McDaniels, Gobert, and whatever additional moves Connelly can make to balance the roster. It remains tied to the growth of young players, the development of team chemistry, and Edwards’ evolution from explosive superstar into complete franchise leader.
The path did not disappear when LeBron chose Philadelphia. It simply became Edward’s path again.
And perhaps that is not entirely bad. There will be no daily LeBron drama consuming the season. No endless debate about whose team it is. No national media caravan treating every quote as evidence of an internal power struggle. No need to reshape the franchise’s identity around the preferences of a superstar nearing the end of his career.
The Wolves can move forward with Ant at the center of everything. They can allow Ball to unlock the offense, Gobert to stabilize the defense, McDaniels to terrorize opposing wings, and Edwards to determine how far this group can climb.
Because in the end, did we really want that geriatric, flopping diva arriving in Minneapolis, disrupting the chemistry, dominating every press conference, and stealing attention from the greatness of Anthony Edwards anyway?
Do not answer that.
I am working through something.
For now, I will sit with my sour grapes, prepare myself for the LaMelo-Ant experience, and look forward to another season of following this strange, exhilarating, occasionally maddening franchise through every high and low.
The Wolves’ pursuit of their first Western Conference title, and ultimately their first NBA Finals appearance, will continue without LeBron James.
The free agency decision that the entire NBA had been waiting for has finally come. Late Friday morning, LeBron James announced via his Instagram that he is joining the Philadelphia 76ers, with ESPN's Shams Charania reporting that the contract is worth $8 million over two years with a player option for the 2027-28 campaign.
With all the 76ers have done under new lead executive Mike Gansey, most notably acquiring Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics for Paul George and future draft capital, James' decision makes Philadelphia an unquestioned title contender next season. However, how will LeBron's decision to head east affect his fantasy outlook and the outlooks for his new teammates? Let's take a look.
Joel Embiid
Embiid's biggest issue throughout his career has been availability, and the 7-footer has appeared in 39 games or fewer in each of his last three seasons. The additions of Brown and James should give the 76ers more flexibility regarding Embiid's usage. Combined with the injuries, this likely lowers Embiid's fantasy ceiling. "The Process" had a fourth-round ADP last season, and that's likely to remain the case in 2026-27. If Embiid can remain reasonably healthy, he can be a fantasy stud even with Philadelphia's roster additions; few teams have a center capable of neutralizing him.
Tyrese Maxey
Maxey was Philadelphia's best fantasy performer last season, and that should remain the case in 2026-27. While the scoring may decrease, his assist tally should receive a boost after averaging a career-best 6.6 helpers per game in 2025-26. The 76ers may be able to give Maxey a little more rest after he averaged 38.0 minutes per game last season, which could improve his efficiency. Maxey's ADP was just outside of the first round in 12-team formats last season; he's got a strong case to be a first-round pick in standard leagues this fall.
VJ Edgecombe
If there's a holdover to be concerned about regarding fantasy value with LeBron headed to Philadelphia, it's Edgecombe. One of the best fantasy rookies in the NBA last season, the athletic guard outperformed his ADP (97) by a significant distance, offering fifth-round per-game value. Edgecombe's usage of 19.6 ranked 17th among rookies last season, and that number is likely to drop. However, remaining a top-100 fantasy player should not be an issue for VJ, given what he brings to the table as a shooter, defender and secondary playmaker.
Jaylen Brown
Coming off of what he considers to be the best individual season of his career, Brown's new rotation became even more crowded with the LeBron decision. The former Celtic posted career-high averages in points, rebounds and assists, and his usage of 36.2 was also a career-best. Points and usage are likely to decrease, which places even more "stress" on Brown's defensive numbers, percentages, and turnovers in fantasy basketball. Close to a top-25 player when punting turnovers, Brown once again finished outside the top-50 in nine-cat formats.
The “supporting cast”
Dean Wade, who wasn't a reliable fantasy option in Cleveland, takes the most significant hit with Friday's news. Appearing to be in line for a place in the 76ers' starting lineup, he'll have to come off the bench now that LeBron is a 76er. Dominick Barlow, who made 59 starts last season, also gets knocked down a peg. However, like Wade, there was not much to gain from rostering Barlow in most fantasy leagues.
Anfernee Simons will still be in a position where he can provide scoring off the bench, but his fantasy upside remains severely limited. And while there remains a lot to like about first-round pick Labaron Philon Jr.'s long-term fantasy outlook, he's in a tough spot regarding the ability to make an impact as a rookie.
The St. Louis Blues have hired Sergei Zubov as an advisor to hockey operations, the team announced on Friday.
The former NHL defenseman, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019, was previously with the organization as a consultant in 2012-13.
"We are excited to bring in Sergei with the incredible resume he built over his Hall of Fame career as a player," Blues general manager Alex Steen said in a release. "As a coach, he brings a unique skillset and experience that will be a valuable asset throughout our hockey operations group."
The 56-year-old has held a variety of positions in coaching and hockey management since finishing his playing career in 2010.
Zubov served as an assistant coach for multiple KHL teams from 2011-15 before being promoted to head coach of SKA Saint Petersburg in 2015-16.
Zubov also held head coach roles with HK Sochi (2017-19, 2024-25) and Dinamo Riga (2021) of the KHL and the Russian U-20 team in 2021-22.
Zubov was named senior consultant to hockey operations for the Dallas Stars in 2019; he played in 1,068 regular-season NHL games with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Stars over a 16-year career, winning two Stanley Cups (Rangers, 1994 and Stars, 1999).
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This fall, Lebron James will be taking his talents to the City of Brotherly Love and joining the Philadelphia 76ers, the future Hall-of-Famer announced Friday morning.
The deal is for two years and $8 million with a player option for the 2027-28 season, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
James chose the Sixers over his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers, another one of his former teams in the Miami Heat, and other contenders around the league. SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley reported on July 2 that the Knicks were happy with their current roster, despite the news that James would have chosen to sign with New York had they not won the 2026 NBA Finals.
The 41-year-old said Friday he contemplated retirement after the end of the 2025-26 season, his 23rd in the NBA, but still loves basketball and has "more to give." James noted this will be his "last decision" and wants the "chance at the feeling of winning another championship" as his career winds down.
"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time," James posted on X.
James will now team up with 2023 MVP Joel Embiid, recently acquired All-Star and 2024 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, and young stars Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe in an attempt to stop New York from repeating as champions.
While it may be his last year in the association, James is already the NBA's all-time leading scorer, fourth all time in assists with a realistic chance to move up to second place, and 23rd in all time rebounds. Last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, James averaged 20.9 points (tied for the lowest of his career with his rookie season), 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game over 60 contests.
another championship.
I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.
Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!
DETROIT — Tarik Skubal said his preference is to finish the season with the Detroit Tigers and compete for a championship, though knows his next start could be his last with the team.
“I think we have a chance to win World Series,” Skubal said. “I’ve said that since spring training. That’s never changed. That belief in this team has never changed throughout the season. Obviously we put ourselves in a tough situation, but I think we’ve come out of that situation playing really good baseball.
“Going into spring training and the whole offseason, I’ve never been more motivated to try and win a World Series for this city, the team that drafted me and helped develop me. That’s always been the goal, and that will never change unless I’m told I’m on a different team.”
The Tigers have until Aug. 3 to decide whether to keep Skubal, who can become a free agent after the World Series, or to deal the two-time Cy Young Award winner in a blockbuster trade to perhaps bolster their future with players and prospects.
Skubal (6-5. 2.83 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park and acknowledged it might be his last start for the Tigers.
“That might be the reality,” he said. “But also five days later, there’s another one at home.”
The 29-year-old righty had surgery on May 6 to remove a loose body from his pitching elbow and returned to pitch on June 13.
“The way the surgery went is exactly how it was supposed to go,” Skubal said. “I don’t know if remarkable is the word I would use.”
Detroit was 22-38 at the start of June and has rallied well enough to be in the playoff picture as questions swirl about what the franchise will do with Skubal.
“There’s a lot of intrigue around him and the reason is, he’s really good,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said.
The NBA icon is entering his 24th season in the league, joining the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal.
James, though, made it clear that the decision wasn't easy. In a lengthy message posted on his official X account, James said he mulled retirement before deciding to come back and play for the upcoming season. He also added that this is his "last decision," potentially signaling the forthcoming end of his illustrious career.
His official message in its entirety is here:
I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love
"I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game. I was honest at that last press conference when I said I needed to look at myself and deicide if I still love this game. I still truly love this game, and I have more to give.
"The last few weeks have really been special. I’ve never been able to have no clue what to do and take real time to just think. I’ve had an incredible few months with all the people I love trying to figure it all out. This is my last decision. I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point?
"I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship.
"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.
"Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!"
James and the Los Angeles Lakers parted ways this offseason, leaving an uncertain future for the four-time NBA MVP and four-time NBA champion.
That future turned out to be in Philadelphia, where he will join a reworked roster that features Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecomb.
Philadelphia was eliminated by the eventual champion New York Knicks in the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs. They were swept 4-0, eventually leading to the trade to acquire Brown.
A strange thing is happening in the American League.
Despite capturing the All-Star Game, the American League has struggled this year compared to its National League brethren. For example, nine National League teams enter the day with winning records compared to just six American League clubs. Four of the top five winning percentages belong to N.L. teams while three of the five worst winning percentages belong to A.L. teams, the Kansas City Royals among them.
In the National League, there is a clear front-runner for the Most Valuable Player award, that being one of the greatest ballplayers to ever live, certainly the apex of the sport today: Shohei Ohtani.
The downturn in American League records, coupled with the unfortunate injury and long absence of the league’s biggest star, Aaron Judge, means that the race for MVP is far more volatile than usual. While this is not, and should not, be the sole indicator of the award, the top three American League players in bWAR are Bobby Witt Jr. (4.9), Kevin McGonigle (4.8), and Yordan Alvarez (4.7).
What’s one thing shared by Witt, McGonigle, and Alvarez?
Bob, of course, plays for the Royals, who have, to put it mildly, struggled in 2026. At the time of this writing, after winning two straight against the Giants, the Royals are now 42-60, a smooth dozen games behind the White Sox and Guardians in the Central while 10.5 out of the final Wild Card spot.
McGonigle, a rookie for the Tigers, has been a highlight of a down year in the Motor City. After yesterday’s 11-2 clobbering at the hands of the Cubs, Detroit is 47-54, ahead of only the Royals in the Central while five back of the last playoff spot.
Alvarez’s Houston Astros are in the best shape of the trio. Having won two in a row, and despite still being five games below .500, the Astros are only three games back of the Rangers in the West while four back of Boston in the Wild Card race.
According to odds over at ESPN from yesterday, before Bob’s placement on the Injured List, Alvarez was the favorite to win the AL MVP with Witt coming in third behind Tampa’s Junior Caminero (4.1 bWAR). McGonigle didn’t crack this particular Top 10, but his teammate, catcher Dillon Dingler (3.7 bWAR), did.
That means that three of the top ten listed, including two of the top three, the frontrunner among them, play for teams with losing records.
Major League Baseball hands out the MVP to players from teams with losing records more than any other professional league in North America—MLB, NFL, NBA, and NHL.
While Bobby Witt Jr.’s injury may set him back in joining this, um, select group, Yordan Alvarez has a real shot at it. Here are the fifteen others he’d be joining with notes on four others.
Al Rollins, Chicago Black Hawks, 1953-54
We begin with perhaps the most perplexing instance. It’s so weird because a) a goalie won the Hart trophy, which is always strange, and b) a goalie won the Hart trophy as his team (note that “Black” and “Hawks” are two different words, so this is some time ago) finished 12-51-7, good for 31 points. The Black Hawks finished sixth in the NHL that year.
Of course, there were only six teams in the NHL that year. The fifth-place team, the New York Rangers, finished with more than twice as many points as the Black Hawks earned. And yet, Chicago’s goalie, who himself finished 12-47-7, took home the MVP.
Bob Pettit, St. Louis Hawks, 1955-56
Another Hawk, this time in basketball and from St. Louis. Pettit led the league in scoring with 25.7 points per game as St. Louis finished 33-39 in their first year in Missouri after moving from Milwaukee, this all under legendary coach Red Holzman, who, until this year, was the most recent coach to lead the Knicks to a championship.
Despite the losing record, the Hawks reached the postseason, even winning a round over the Minneapolis Lakers before falling to the Fort Wayne Pistons in the conference finals.
Two years later, the Hawks won it all. Pettit followed that up in 1958-59 with his second MVP. In 1971, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs, 1958
Lemme tell you something: the fifties loved it some losing MVPs. Banks became the first baseball player to achieve the feat as the Cubs finished 72-82, 20 games back of the first-place Milwaukee Braves. Mr. Cub, though, certainly delivered, as he posted 9.3 bWAR, taking home 2/3 of the Triple Crown with a league-leading 47 homers and 129 RBIs. He slashed .313/.366/.614.
Andy Bathgate, New York Rangers, 1958-59
Our second, and penultimate, hockey entry, Bathgate put up 88 points (40 goals, 48 assists) on his way to the Hart trophy for a Rangers team that ended the season 26-32-12, fifth in the six-team NHL. For some reason, voters named him the MVP over two players on the first-place, eventual champion Montreal Canadiens: Jean Béliveau finished third in voting after posting 91 points (45, 46) and his teammate, Dickie Moore, finished fifth after collecting 96 points (41, 55), which led the league.
Ernie Banks, Chicago Cubs, 1959
Evidently, Banks loved baseball so much, he said, “Let’s play two!” He loved winning the MVP for a bad team so much he immediately did it again in 1959: 10.2 bWAR, 45 home runs, 143 RBIs, .304/.374/.596.
Cubs final record: 74-80-1.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Los Angeles Lakers, 1975-76
Big time jump as no North American professional athlete won the MVP as part of a losing team during all of the sixties and the first half of the seventies. Abdul-Jabbar ended up being the only one to achieve the feat in the seventies, doing so at the midway point for a Lakers team that finished just under .500, 40-42.
This was Abdul-Jabbar’s fourth MVP trophy, and it just so happened to occur during his first year with the Lakers. Los Angeles finished fourth in the Pacific, two games back of the Suns for a playoff spot.
That season, Abdul-Jabbar led the NBA in total rebounds per game (16.9) and blocks per game (4.1) while averaging 27.7 and 5 assists. He’d again win the MVP the following year, then once more in 1979-1980.
The 1975-76 season is the only time Abdul-Jabbar missed the playoffs in his career.
Andre Dawson, Chicago Cubs, 1987
For those keeping track, this was the third time a baseball player won the MVP while part of a losing team, and all of them were Cubs. Gee, I wonder if any baseball team will top that.
Andre “The Hawk” Dawson—another Hawk!—posted only 4.0 bWAR in 1987, which tied for 18th among NL batters, but he did lead the league in home runs with 49 and RBIs with 137, both of which were career highs for the Hall of Famer. He slashed .287/.328/.568. The Cubs finished 76-85, last in the National League East.
Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins, 1987-88
Just 22, Mario Lemieux paced the National Hockey League in points in 1987-88 with 168, including a league-leading 70 goals and a staggering 98 assists. Lemieux posted even better numbers the following season, but came in second in voting for the Hart behind some guy named Wayne Gretzky.
Serious question: would you rather have a healthy Lemieux or Gretzky at his peak? I’m not so sure there’s an easy answer. Sure, one’s nicknamed “The Great One,” but if Lemieux didn’t miss so much time, it might be No. 66, not No. 99, retired across the NHL.
The Penguins finished 36-35-9, which is under .500 in hockey terms. Three years later, they lifted Lord Stanley’s Cup for the first time ever.
Cal Ripken Jr., Baltimore Orioles, 1991
To this day, Ripken’s Iron Man streak overshadows how good of a ballplayer he was. Sure, he wouldn’t have started so many games in a row if he were a bum. But fans today forget that he posted nearly 100 bWAR while winning two Most Valuable Player awards, one when he was 22 in 1983, and this one, when he was 30.
For an awful Orioles team, one that finished 67-95, 24 games back of Toronto, Ripken, pardon the pun, ripped. He posted a career-high 11.5 bWAR while setting other career highs in home runs (34), RBIs (114), on-base percentage (.374), total bases (368, which led the league), and OPS+ (162). He also earned his first Gold Glove.
Alex Rodriguez, Texas Rangers, 2003
Another bit of a time-jump before Alex Rodriguez joins the club. A-Rod spent three years with the Rangers, who posted losing seasons all three years, with 2001 being the high mark with 73 wins.
In 2003, his last season not as a Yankee, Rodriguez won the first of three MVP awards. Rodriguez led the AL in bWAR (8.4), runs (124), home runs (47), and slugging percentage (.600) while capturing his second straight Gold Glove.
Oddly, 2003 looks like Rodriguez’s worst statistical season in Texas. I mean, dig it:
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels, 2016
The Angels finished 74-88 when Mike Trout won his second MVP. Trout led the league in bWAR (10.4), runs (123), walks (116), on-base percentage (.441), and OPS+ (173).
As you’re about to see, this sort of thing is about to become a trend in Anaheim.
Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins, 2017
Stanton had a season for the ages in his last year with the Marlins. He just missed 60 home runs on the year, still leading the Majors with 59. He added 132 RBIs, scored 123 runs, and slugged .631 for a Marlins team that finished 77-85, second in the National League East, but a full 10 games back of the final Wild Card.
The following offseason, Stanton forced his way out of Florida, choosing the Yankees as his next team. Injuries have hampered him during his time in the Bronx, though he did capture the ALCS MVP in 2024. He could very well become the first non-steroid tainted member of the 500-homer club to not make the Hall of Fame, but I doubt he gets there.
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels, 2019
Trout again. He won the MVP this time despite finishing behind others in bWAR, such as Houston’s Alex Bregman and Oakland’s Marcus Semien.
This was Trout’s third and, in all likelihood, final Most Valuable Player award. He has never won a postseason game.
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels, 2021
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels, 2023
Grouping these last two together as it’s the same dude with the same team. Man, Arte Moreno is a bad owner. Ten times has a player won the MVP in baseball while playing for a team with a losing record, and four of those have happened in the past decade with the Angels.
While Trout remains, Ohtani bolted in free agency for the Dodgers, where he’s enjoyed enormous success, individually and, more importantly, as a member of the team.
Before that, though, Ohtani languished with the Angels. The two-way star won his first MVP in 2021 as the Angels finished 77-85. At the plate, Ohtani scored 103 runs while smoking 46 home runs and driving in 100 RBIs. He slashed .257/.372/.592. On the mound, Ohtani started 23 games, going 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.090 WHIP, and 3.52 FIP. In total, he posted 9.0 bWAR—4.9 at the plate and 4.1 on the mound.
Two years later, as the Angels finished 73-89, Ohtani posted even better numbers at the plate as he slashed .304/.412/.654 with 44 homers and 95 RBIs. Pitching, he went 10-5 over 132 innings with 167 strikeouts, a 3.14 ERA and a 4.00 FIP.
Final Note
As you probably noticed, no NFL player has ever won the MVP while playing for a losing team. Since the AP started voting on the MVP in 1957, the closest a player has come to this is Barry Sanders in 1997, when the Lions finished 9-7.
From 1938 to 1946, the MVP equivalent was called the Joe F. Carr Trophy. Twice did a player win that hardware while playing for a team that finished 5-5-1. Cleveland Rams halfback Parker Hall did so in 1939 followed by Pittsburgh Steelers halfback Bill Dudley in 1946.
Finally, as far as I can tell, only one Major League Baseball player has won the MVP for a team that finished exactly .500—Robin Yount for the 1989 Milwaukee Brewers.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JULY 21: Wyatt Langford #36 of the Texas Rangers congratulates Brandon Nimmo #24 on his two run home run during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Globe Life Field on July 21, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After a backbreaking loss to the Reds on Wednesday, the Mariners head into this huge series against the Rangers still searching for answers to their woes. The trade deadline is quickly approaching and this series in Texas along with next week’s series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers will have a lot of bearing on how the team approaches upgrading the roster. There are clear areas of need on the roster, and the team is firmly in win-now territory, but dropping well below .500 during this road trip should force the team to ask some really tough questions.
For their part, the Rangers aren’t exactly running away with the AL West right now despite the Mariners’ struggles. Texas lost its series to the White Sox earlier this week and maintains a slim half game lead over Seattle in the division. More importantly, the Rangers lead the season series 4-2; anything more than a split in this series would guarantee they hold the tiebreaker if the division race comes down to the wire in September.
The offensive woes that plagued this roster last year haven’t really improved; they’re 22nd in runs scored this year, same as they were last season. The big difference is that their pitching staff isn’t leading the majors in run prevention, sliding down to 14th thanks to a shakier starting rotation and a poorer bullpen. They finished last year at .500 and they’re sitting at that exact record this season. Nothing has really changed except for the league context around them.
Player
Position
Bats
PA
K%
BB%
ISO
wRC+
Joc Pederson
DH
L
305
23.0%
11.8%
0.244
130
Wyatt Langford
LF
R
216
21.3%
6.0%
0.228
133
Josh Jung
3B
R
396
17.9%
8.3%
0.147
127
Brandon Nimmo
RF
L
409
21.5%
7.8%
0.163
115
Jake Burger
1B
R
398
26.4%
7.5%
0.182
100
Ezequiel Duran
SS
R
349
24.1%
7.4%
0.167
111
Evan Carter
CF
L
279
23.7%
12.2%
0.149
85
Nicky Lopez
2B
L
146
14.4%
2.7%
0.045
101
Elias Díaz
C
R
108
19.4%
1.9%
0.183
88
The Rangers have gotten almost nothing out of Corey Seager this year; he’s only played in 51 games, has an 86 wRC+, and is currently on the IL with a recurring back issue. Luckily, Wyatt Langford has stepped up to lead the lineup, though he’s dealt with his own injury issues this year too. The young outfielder is displaying a lot more power even though his contact quality has taken a bit of a step back this year. The Rangers are also enjoying bounce back seasons from Josh Jung and Joc Pederson. The former is finally healthy and has significantly improved his plate discipline and the latter is simply back to crushing right-handed pitching like he has throughout his career.
The back half of the lineup is pretty messy. Ezequiel Duran is doing his best to cover for Seager’s absence and Nicky Lopez and Elias Díaz have been pressed into full-time roles thanks to a number of other injuries.
MacKenzie Gore was the Rangers’ big offseason acquisition in January. After being included in the blockbuster Juan Soto trade (the first one from Washington to San Diego), Gore has established himself as a solid frontline starter over the last few years. His secondary weapons are all fantastic — he’s the only pitcher in baseball to feature four pitches with whiff rates north of 35% — but he’s often let down by an inconsistent fastball. When he’s locating his heater well, it can give opposing batters fits. But too often — and particularly during the second half of the season when he’s worn down significantly — his locations will leak into the middle of the zone and batters will punish the pitch.
Gore was pretty solid through the first three months of the season, running a 4.05 ERA and a 3.43 FIP through the end of June. July hasn’t been kind to him, however — he’s allowed 18 runs in 19.2 innings this month — and it looks like he’s about to stumble through another second-half slide like he has every season before this. In his two starts against the Mariners this year, he held them scoreless at home in five innings and then gave up five runs in five innings in Seattle the next time around.
Pitcher
IP
K%
BB%
HR/FB%
GB%
ERA
FIP
Nathan Eovaldi
115.1
25.3%
5.8%
20.4%
49.8%
4.21
4.35
Bryan Woo
110.1
24.2%
4.9%
8.8%
38.1%
4.16
3.22
Pitch
Usage vRHB
Usage vLHB
Velocity
Stuff+
Whiff+
BIP+
xwOBA
Four-seam
12.9%
13.6%
94.6
90
100
100
0.424
Sinker
17.6%
0.1%
93.5
101
64
171
0.332
Cutter
13.2%
24.4%
90.5
95
120
95
0.366
Splitter
34.0%
39.7%
88.5
95
100
91
0.274
Curveball
22.3%
22.2%
76.4
101
126
81
0.233
From a previous series preview:
Nathan Eovaldi has been forced to figure out how to do more with less (fastball velocity). Last year, he dropped the usage of his four-seam fastball by nearly 15 points, added a sinker to his repertoire, and increased the usage of his cutter and curveball. The result was a pitch mix that was a lot less predictable and a lot less dependent on his deteriorating velocity. Unfortunately, elbow and shoulder injuries derailed the success he was seeing with his new approach, and he spent most of the second half of the season on the shelf.
Eovaldi has dramatically shifted away from his fastball this year, dropping its usage to just 13%. He’s now throwing his splitter and curveball more than half the time, though that shift in pitch mix hasn’t exactly resulted in great topline results. He’s been pretty inconsistent throughout the year despite leaning on his two big swing-and-miss pitches. Previously against the Mariners, he allowed two runs in six innings in Arlington and then four runs in five innings back in Seattle.
Pitcher
IP
K%
BB%
HR/FB%
GB%
ERA
FIP
Jacob deGrom
105.1
30.2%
5.7%
13.3%
35.2%
3.76
3.33
Logan Gilbert
120
27.3%
5.3%
10.9%
35.8%
3.38
3.33
Pitch
Usage vRHB
Usage vLHB
Velocity
Stuff+
Whiff+
BIP+
xwOBA
Four-seam
40.7%
43.1%
97.2
107
118
82
0.354
Sinker
4.4%
0.1%
96.2
Changeup
3.1%
20.7%
89.8
108
143
72
0.222
Curveball
3.8%
8.1%
80.7
104
157
147
0.194
Slider
48.0%
28.0%
91.1
112
120
101
0.253
From a previous series preview:
Last year, Jacob deGrom made 30 starts for the first time since 2019 and crossed the 150 IP threshold for just the fifth time in his career. That health was the result of a conscious effort to pitch with a little less intensity. His fastball velocity was down about a tick from where it was at his peak, though it still averaged 97.5 mph. From a results standpoint, he ran his lowest strikeout rate since 2016 and the highest FIP of his career. Even in his diminished form, he was still one of the better pitchers in baseball, and as they say, the best ability is availability.
deGrom has continued to pitch excellently in his age-38 season, and more importantly, he’s stayed mostly healthy. In his two previous starts against the Mariners, he’s allowed a single run across nine innings.
Pitcher
IP
K%
BB%
HR/FB%
GB%
ERA
FIP
Kumar Rocker
96
20.9%
8.8%
11.5%
44.6%
4.13
4.16
George Kirby
116
21.8%
5.2%
9.2%
47.0%
3.57
3.24
Pitch
Usage vRHB
Usage vLHB
Velocity
Stuff+
Whiff+
BIP+
xwOBA
Four-seam
6.5%
15.6%
94.4
82
111
98
0.346
Sinker
42.1%
21.4%
94.3
100
66
121
0.399
Cutter
13.4%
16.1%
90.3
83
94
95
0.409
Changeup
0.0%
8.9%
88.7
72
Slider
38.0%
38.0%
83.2
94
123
111
0.209
Kumar Rocker has taken a big step forward this year, not because he’s improved his strikeout-to-walk ratio in any meaningful way, but simply because he isn’t allowing as much hard contact. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is essentially unchanged from where it’s been during his first two seasons in the big leagues, but his hard hit and barrel rates allowed have dropped significantly. The biggest change in his profile is a greater emphasis on his death ball slider; he’s throwing it 38% of the time, is running a 41% whiff rate with it, and opposing batters have produced a .211 wOBA against it. His other pitches don’t stand out in any meaningful way, so it really seems like his improvement stems from leaning on his best pitch a lot more often.
The Big Picture:
Team
W-L
W%
Games Behind
Run Diff
Recent Form
Rangers
51-51
0.500
—
-30
W-L-L-W-L
Mariners
51-52
0.495
0.5
+17
W-W-W-L-L
Astros
50-54
0.481
2.0
-45
L-L-W-W-W
Athletics
43-59
0.422
8.0
-122
W-L-W-L-L
Angels
41-62
0.398
10.5
-58
L-W-W-W-L
Team
W-L
W%
Games Behind
Run Diff
Recent Form
Yankees
57-45
0.559
+4.5
+88
L-W-W-L-W
Guardians
54-50
0.519
+0.5
-6
L-W-W-L-L
Red Sox
52-49
0.515
—
+45
W-W-W-W-L
Mariners
51-52
0.495
2.0
+17
W-W-W-L-L
Twins
51-53
0.490
2.5
-30
L-L-L-W-W
The Astros bounced back from being swept last weekend by sweeping the Marlins this week; they’ll head to Chicago to face the White Sox this weekend. We’re fans of the Athletics this weekend as they take on the Twins in Minnesota. The Red Sox finally had their win streak snapped at 15 games on Wednesday, but they’ve opened up a two-game lead in the Wild Card race. Boston hosts the Blue Jays this weekend.
LeBron James is a name known to everyone now whether they follow the NBA or not.
On Friday, June 25, the future NBA Hall-of-Famer once again made headlines as he announced that he will be finishing his playing career with the Philadelphia 76ers. James, now 41, spent the last eight seasons in Los Angeles where he won an NBA title in 2020 and also became the league's all-time leading scorer during that stretch.
However, long before he was establishing himself as one of the all-time greats in the NBA, James was one of the fastest rising high school phenoms.
It didn't take James playing in college or staring in the NBA early on for him to become nationally known. James played his high school days St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron (OH) from 1999-2003.
He became a star as a freshman, averaging 21 points and 6.2 rebounds while leading the Fighting Irish to a 23-1 record and the Division III state championship. The next year he was even better, averaging 25.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 3.8 steals.
Those stats earned him USA TODAY All-USA First Team honors along with the Ohio Mr. Basketball award and he once again led the team to the Division IIII state championship as they finished the year 26-1.
It was James' junior year that fully put him on the national radar.
That year he became known as 'The Chosen One' after being featured on a Sports Illustrated cover in February of 2002. He averaged 29 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.3 steals en route to becoming the first junior to ever win Gatorade Player of the Year honors.
As a senior is when James was at his best. He averaged 31.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 3.4 steals, leading the Fighting Irish to a 25-1 record. That year he scored a high school career-best 52 points in a win over Westchester (CA) and also led them to an upset-win over Oak Hill Academy, which was then ranked as the No. 1 team in the country.
The Fighting Irish went 101-6 during James' career and he finished his high school career with 2,646 points. Cleveland selected him with the first pick in the 2003 NBA Draft and the rest is history.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow @usatodayhss on Instagram and X.
