As one of the most celebrated basketball players in history, LeBron James has accolades very few can boast of on and off the court. The Akron native has never been one to shy away from societal issues, as he is often the leading voice among athletes in movements and campaigns. Unlike superstars of the past who were heavily criticized for showing little concern for various issues, James hasn't just changed the narrative; he has set the bar.
"What I do in the community and the people I inspire all over the world is what I want a lot of my legacy to be talked about," LeBron said, per NBC Sports. "Basketball has definitely given me an opportunity to see parts of the world and do things I would never even imagine I'd be able to do without it, but if my legacy is only talking about the game of basketball, then I've failed in my mission."
A major societal impact
Being the superstar he is, James has channeled a good part of his financial success to impacting lives through acts of philanthropy. Through the LeBron James Family Foundation, he has launched initiatives such as the "I Promise School" in Akron, Ohio, for at-risk children. LeBron has also voiced out numerous times on social issues and has become a leading voice on issues such as injustice, race, politics, and police brutality. He even supported former President Barack Obama and spoke out during the "Black Lives Matter" campaign after the murder of George Floyd.
Inspiring the next generation
With a legacy like his, many young and upcoming prospects look up to James, who has shown that background doesn't matter when finding success as long as there is commitment dedicated to that success. The NBA's all-time leading scorer was drafted straight from high school, and even though he has the talent, he has no institutional knowledge to speak of something that makes him truly stand out among athletes of his caliber.
"You only get out as much as you put in. I hope that I'm able to inspire the next generation to put the work in both on the floor and off the floor. Commit to the game," James added. "If you say you want to be great then you have to go out and actually put the work in. There's no shortcuts to being great, if that's what you want."
At 39 years old, James continues to shatter the mold and do things we didn't think were previously possible. He is in the midst of leading Team USA in the Paris 2024 Olympics with his quintessential leadership. As his Olympic teammates watch in awe, he is proving that age is just a number. When he retires from basketball, the game will dearly miss him. However, his impact on the younger generation will help him continue his legacy.
Related: LeBron James shared what he thinks about his leadership style: "I think it's about confidence but also practicing what you preach"
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