Dedicated to Wardell Stephen Curry II

It was on December 30th, 1984 when a young Lebron James was born in the city of Akron, Ohio. He was the only child of Gloria James and Anthony McClelland.  

Growing up, James' life had a very rough start. In the absence of his father in his childhood, he was initially raised by his mother, who struggled to consistently fend for him.  Because of the struggles, James had witnessed the worst of his hometown and initially did not want to go to school.

When James was only 5 years old, he and his mother had already moved several times in one year.  James was absent during Elementary more often than not, mainly because they were moving too frequently. The struggle was without rest, and it seemed like James would not find a place to live for a while and not know what to do.

But then came his 4th-grade year, and it was a year full of miracles for young James. Fortunately for him, he had been at the right place, at the right time in his neighborhood. There, he was playing with the neighbouring kids, when he was approached by a football coach who was scouting for 8 or 9-year-old players. The coach asked James and the kids if they were interested to play for his team, to which Lebron agreed on joining.

The coach asked them to race and when they did, it became clear who the coach wanted. James' speed was imposing and he had outrun the other kids by several yards. Before James even knew it, he had genuinely impressed the coach and earned his attention. But most importantly, his growing support as a coach and as an adult figure; which is what James needed. 

FIRST!!

Throughout the year, James had engaged in the football season with his coach's team and it seemed as though he had finally found an interest; sports. With the support of his coach, James kept getting better in football and sports in general. Over time, he was becoming more competitive, while all the more grateful. It was quite clear James was the most competitive, and skilled player on his football team.

When James' talents were recognized, another youth football coach offered him his support. This coach was Frank Kelker, who had let James live with him and his family under his mother's permission. This was life-changing for James as this is something he also needed. A real family—the Walker Family—that had helped set James on the right track