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LeBron James’s career in photos

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Feb 2, 2022

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LeBron James began playing organized basketball in the 5th grade for an Amateur Athletic Union team. James later went on to play for St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School, where he became a nationally watched phenomenon.
LeBron James began playing organized basketball in the 5th grade for an Amateur Athletic Union team. James later went on to play for St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School, where he became a nationally watched phenomenon. REUTERS

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LeBron lead the St. Vincent-St. Mary's basketball team to three Ohio state championships between 1999 and 2003.
LeBron lead the St. Vincent-St. Mary’s basketball team to three Ohio state championships between 1999 and 2003. Lionsgate

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Cameras crowd around Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary's LeBron James (23) after he scored 31 points in a 65-45 win over Virginia's Oak Hill Academy Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002, in Cleveland. The game was nationally televised on ESPN2.
Cameras crowd around Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s LeBron James (23) after he scored 31 points in a 65-45 win over Virginia’s Oak Hill Academy Thursday, Dec. 12, 2002, in Cleveland. The game was nationally televised on ESPN2. AP

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NBA Commissioner David Stern, left, congratulates LeBron James after he was chosen by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the overall first pick of the 2003 NBA Draft.
NBA Commissioner David Stern, left, congratulates LeBron James after he was chosen by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the overall first pick of the 2003 NBA Draft. AP

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LeBron James slam dunks in the first quarter of his NBA regular season debut against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 29, 2003.
LeBron James slam dunks in the first quarter of his NBA regular season debut against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 29, 2003. REUTERS

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LeBron faces off against the Washington Wizards' Caron Butler in the Eastern Conference first round of the 2006 NBA playoffs. This was not only LeBron's postseason debut, but also the Cavaliers' first playoff appearance since 1998.
LeBron faces off against the Washington Wizards’ Caron Butler in the Eastern Conference first round of the 2006 NBA playoffs. This was not only LeBron’s postseason debut, but also the Cavaliers’ first playoff appearance since 1998. AP

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LeBron dunks against Rasheed Wallace (left) and Maurice Evans (right) of the Detroit Pistons in the 2006 Eastern Conference Semifinals. LeBron scored a triple double in this game, but Detroit would go on to win the series 4-3.
LeBron dunks against Rasheed Wallace (left) and Maurice Evans (right) of the Detroit Pistons in the 2006 Eastern Conference Semifinals. LeBron scored a triple double in this game, but Detroit would go on to win the series 4-3. EPA

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LeBron shoots the ball while flanked by the Pistons' Richard Hamilton (left) and Chauncey Billups (right) in the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. In Game 5 of the series, LeBron scored 48 points, including 29 of the Cavaliers' last 30 points in the game.
LeBron shoots the ball while flanked by the Pistons’ Richard Hamilton (left) and Chauncey Billups (right) in the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals. In Game 5, LeBron scored 48 points, including 29 of the Cavaliers’ last 30 points in the game. AP

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LeBron and Anderson Varejao attempt to defend against the Spurs' Manu Ginobili in LeBron’s first NBA Finals appearance in 2007. Despite a strong showing against Detroit, the Spurs would go on to sweep Cleveland for the championship.
LeBron and Anderson Varejao attempt to defend against the Spurs’ Manu Ginobili in LeBron’s first NBA Finals appearance in 2007. Despite a strong showing against Detroit, the Spurs would go on to sweep Cleveland for the championship. AP

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Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony hold their gold medals after defeating Spain in the men's basketball finals at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony hold their gold medals after defeating Spain in the men’s basketball finals at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. REUTERS

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Paul Pierce fouls LeBron James during Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals. During an incredible Game 7 of the series, LeBron scored 45 points while Pierce scored 41.
Paul Pierce fouls LeBron James during Game 4 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals. During an incredible Game 7 of the series, LeBron scored 45 points while Pierce scored 41. AP

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LeBron James receives 2008-2009 MVP trophy from NBA Commissioner David Stern. LeBron became the first Cavalier to win the award.
LeBron James receives the 2008-2009 MVP trophy from NBA Commissioner David Stern. LeBron became the first Cavalier to win the award. Getty Images

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LeBron became a free agent on July 1, 2010. On July 8, he announced his decision to sign with the Miami Heat in a televised interview with ESPN's Jim Gray. Here, he famously told Gray "I'm taking my talents to South Beach."
LeBron became a free agent on July 1, 2010. On July 8, he announced his decision to sign with the Miami Heat in a televised interview with ESPN’s Jim Gray. Here, he famously told Gray “I’m taking my talents to South Beach.” AP

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Alongside LeBron, the Heat also courted free agents Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Miami's new star trio is introduced at a welcome party at American Airlines Arena on July 9, 2010.
Alongside LeBron, the Heat also courted free agents Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Miami’s new star trio is introduced at a welcome party at American Airlines Arena on July 9, 2010. Larry Marano (C)

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James Harden guards against LeBron in Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals. LeBron scored a triple-double in this game, winning the series and his first NBA Championship.
Oklahoma City’s James Harden guards against LeBron in Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals. LeBron scored a triple-double in this game, winning the series and his first NBA Championship. EPA

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LeBron holds the NBA Championship trophy after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-106 in Game 5. LeBron was unanimously voted NBA Finals MVP.
LeBron holds the NBA Championship trophy after defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-106 in Game 5. LeBron was unanimously voted NBA Finals MVP. MCT /Landov

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LeBron, Chris Bosh, and Tim Duncan struggle to catch a loose ball during Game 5 of the 2013 NBA Finals.
The Heat returned to the finals for the second year in a row in 2013 to play the San Antonio Spurs. Here, LeBron, Chris Bosh, and Tim Duncan struggle to catch a loose ball during Game 5 of the 2013 NBA Finals. AP

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LeBron makes a break against Tony Parker during Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals.
LeBron makes a break against Tony Parker during Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals. Getty Images

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LeBron holds the Larry O'Brien Trophy and the Bill Russell MVP Trophy after the Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs to win Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals. This was LeBron's second championship win in 2 consecutive years for Miami.
LeBron holds the Larry O’Brien Trophy and the Bill Russell MVP Trophy after the Heat defeated the San Antonio Spurs to win Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals. This was LeBron’s second championship win in 2 consecutive years for Miami. REUTERS

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LeBron puts up a basket over the head of Paul Pierce during the 2014 Eastern Conference Semifinals. In Game 4 of the series, LeBron tied his own postseason record by scoring 49 points.
LeBron puts up a basket over the head of Paul Pierce during the 2014 Eastern Conference Semifinals. In Game 4 of the series, LeBron tied his own postseason record by scoring 49 points. Anthony J Causi

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LeBron drives against Kawhi Leonard in the 2014 NBA Finals - a rematch of the 2013 series agains the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio won the series in five games, ending Miami's quest for a three-peat.
LeBron drives against Kawhi Leonard in the 2014 NBA Finals – a rematch of the 2013 series agains the San Antonio Spurs. San Antonio won the series in five games, ending Miami’s quest for a three-peat. NBAE/Getty Images

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After opting out of his contract with the Heat, LeBron announced his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers in July 2014.
After opting out of his contract with the Heat, LeBron announced his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers in July 2014. Getty Images

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LeBron looks for a shot against Andre Igoudala during Game 3 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
In 2016, the Cavs once again advanced to the Finals for a rematch with the Golden State Warriors. Here, LeBron looks for a shot against Andre Igoudala during Game 3. AP

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LeBron dunks the ball during Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals. In 2017, LeBron surpassed Michael Jordan to become the all-time postseason scoring leader.
LeBron dunks the ball during Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals. In 2017, LeBron surpassed Michael Jordan to become the all-time postseason scoring leader. Getty Images

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LeBron triumphantly holds the Championship Trophy as the Cavaliers return to Cleveland after Game 7. His teammates Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Kevin Love, and J.R. Smith surround him.
LeBron triumphantly holds the Championship Trophy as the Cavaliers return to Cleveland after Game 7. His teammates Kyrie Irving, Tristan Thompson, Kevin Love, and J.R. Smith surround him. Getty Images

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LeBron celebrates in a Cleveland parade. The Cavaliers' victory in the Finals ended the city's 52-year championship drought.
LeBron celebrates in a Cleveland parade. The Cavaliers’ victory in the Finals ended the city’s 52-year championship drought. AP

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After he opted out of his contract with Cleveland in 2018, LeBron signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers had missed the playoffs since 2014.
After he opted out of his contract with Cleveland in 2018, LeBron signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers had missed the playoffs every year since 2014. Getty Images

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In 2020, LeBron lead the Lakers to the Finals where he faced off against his former team, the Miami Heat, lead by Jimmy Butler.
In 2020, LeBron lead the Lakers to the Finals where he faced off against his former team, the Miami Heat, lead by Jimmy Butler. EPA

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LeBron dunks the ball against the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Finals this year were held in a "bubble" in Florida.
LeBron dunks the ball against the Miami Heat in the 2020 NBA Finals. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Finals this year were held in a “bubble” in Florida. NBAE via Getty Images

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LeBron holds up four fingers after winning his fourth NBA championship after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals.
LeBron holds up four fingers after winning his fourth NBA championship after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals. USA TODAY Sports

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