Lebron James: Rise of a Star (pg 151-208)

Summary-

Senior year was the toughest year with all the media hype, and public acclaim on his shoulders. Lebron didnt forget his teammates and they often helped him out with it. Lebron considered them his borthers. Kris Belman who majored in film at the local college asked to shoot a documentary aout the team's last game together. The school and coach decided to let him do it. He was able to capture their emotions in the last game and the events leading up to the game. They were facing Dayton Ketering High School. The 15 minute bus ride to the school was completely silent. All the players had their headphones on and each of them were in their own world. The coach let them know how important this game was. It was the national championship game on the line. But that wasnt the only big moment that happened in the post season. About a week before Lebron was invovled in an accident with a Hummer. It was a day before the game. Lebron wasnt injured though. His mom made sure he was ok but she didnt end up going to the game. She was criticized heavily after that. After the team won the championship Lebron had a big decision to make. He had to decide whether to college or go straight to the NBA. The previous season the Cleveland Cavaliers were tied for the worst record. They had a great chance to get the 1st overall pick in the draft. If they did get the 1st pick they could draft Lebron James and thats exactly what happened.



Quotation-

Austin Carr owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers says " Alot of people teased me about crying but i was just happy that we got a young man like him"(Morgan 166).



Reaction-
The last few pages explained that Lebron didnt care about the money. He just wanted to play basketball. Austin Carr, the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers was so happy that they was able to get Lebron now they could turn the team around. Lebron didnt care about which team he went to but playing in Cleveland is close to home. Gloria was so happy for Lebron and that he wasnt moving far away. Lebron dedicated his life to basketball and his family. Basketball took him along way. Because Lebron was dedicated his life turned out great, he got to play in the NBA.

Lebron James:Rise of a Star (pg 117-150)

Summary-

Senior year was different from all the other years. The coach scheduled more and more distant away games. He wanted them to face the toughest high school teams in the country. Their tour consisted of traveling to Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, New Jersey, and North Carolina. Many people didn't agree with the schedule and the commissioner of the Ohio High School Athletic Association thought Coach was trying to exploit his players. They got the same treatment as a NBA team would have. They got to stay in the top hotels and got to ride in limousines. The Irish basketball team was ranked No. 1 out of all the high schools. Lebron James brought all of the media attention to them. Everywhere they went they got booed by the fans but he players didnt care they were having fun. Lebron loved his fans. One time a boy from Spain sent him a letter and a t-shirt for Lebron to sign. Lebron had alot of press conferences. He gained a lot of hype during his high school career. Many sneaker companies wanted Lebron to endorse their products. Adidas and Nike were the ones to make an offer to Lebron and he turned down Adidas' offer. He signed with Nike and the deal was multi-million dollar deal.

Quotation-
His teammate says "Lebron didn't seem to pay much attention to the criticism of the school, but critcism of Gloria was hard to overlook." (Lee 118)

Reaction-
This quote shows the Lebron only focused on the positives and didn't let the negative thoughts take over his mind. Many people were critisizing Gloria James. That was something that made him upset. The criticism about him and his school he coould take but not about his mother. James led his team to a division title but they didnt win the State Championship. They were upset but they were happy about the progress they made that year. The media surrounded Lebron and many companies made offers to him. He didnt want all the fame to go to his head. He made alot of money through the endorsements.

Lebron James:Rise of a Star (pg 81-116)

Summary-

Sophomore year came fast, Lebron, Dru,Willie, and Sian were the faces of the school. A new kid named Romeo Travis joined the team and they were known as the "Fab Five". At first they didnt get along with Romeo. He didnt like to share like they were a family. The team operated like a family away from home. Romeo finally understood that the basketball team was his family and they began to get along. Sophomore year was a great year for the basketball team. They finished the season 27-1. That only loss was against Oak Hill Academy which is the top ranked high school basketball team. The loss devestated the team t they were determined to win next year. During the summer Lebron participated in a basketball camp. It was called "Five-Star Camp". It was a bsketball camp for the top players around the U.S. to play against each other an learn.

Quotation-
Coach Dru stated " The other players, who had become like bothers-without the sibling rivalry-werent thrilled about the newcomer, either"(Lee 81).

Reaction-
The basketball team was a family away from home for the boys. They acted and treated everyone like family. This was good for the structure of a basketball team. They new they couldrely on each other. I've been on one basketball team like that and you get a great feeling knowing that you had people who cared about you outside of school. Lebron and his teammates loved basketball and loved each other which made their time spent together good. I understood how they felt after losing a big game, it puts you down but for Lebron it just made him stronger.

Lebron James:Rise of a Star (pg 49-80)

Summary-
Lebron becomes close to his coaches because of his living situation. He doesnt have a stable home. He goes to live with Coach Dambrot. They both learned from each other. Lebron looked up to Coach Dambrot like a father. Lebron's father was not in the picture. He didnt have a father figure. Dambrot was a very intense coach. He often uses racial comment to get his players heated for the competition. Dambrot didnt have a great history but he was turning his life around. Lebron liked the determination he saw in his coach and used it to improve his game. Coach said that Lebron and his teammate Dru were gym rats. Lebron convinced his whole AAU team to go to the same high school. The school they attended was not a school known for basketball, they were known for their morals and ethics. His school provided them with a path to college. Students had the chance to take a college prep class. Coach Dambrot was convinced to coach the same AAU team had coached but they were in high school now. Lebron gave the school alot of buzz and professional and college scouts started going to their games. Lebron a team player and loved the company of his team. He led the team to a State Championship in his Freshman year.

Quotation-
Coach Dru says " I've seen a lot of great young players but I had never seen a young kid like that before"(Lee 54).

Reaction-
This quote shows that even as a Freshman Lebron was considered one of the best players. Lebron tried to improve his game any chance had. Coach Dambrot called Lebron a gym rat. Lebron was the first at the gym and the last one to leave. He was dedicated to being the best palyer he could be. None of the hype got to him and he beat himself up when he made mistakes.

Lebron James:Rise of a Star (pg 9-42)

Summary-

The book starts off with one Lebron's biggest games against Oak Hill Academy. Lebron attends St. Vincent-St. Mary High School of Akon. This game was broadcasted nationwide on the channel ESPN2 with the top annoucer's calling the game. He was considered "The Chosen One" and that's how Sports Illustrated labeled him. That was huge considering he was only 17. Oak Hill Academy's lineup was stacked with Division I college basketball prospects. The last two times these teams squared off Oak Hill Academy won both times. Lebron James did not want to let his team sown again and he didnt, his team came out with the win. Gloria James was Lebron's mother and she got pregnant at sixteen. Life was hard for her but now being pregnant it became harder. Gloria was one of three children. She had two brothers, Terry and Curt. They grew up on Hickory Street. Most people that lived there earned minimum wage. Everyone in the neighborhood looked out for each other, they looked after one another's child if someone was hit by hard times. Lebron was almost three when he got his first basketball. On Christmas Eve when his grandmother came back from a party she had a massive heart attack. She was only 42 when she passed away. He didnt even know that she had died that day. Lebron James and his mother moved alot dueto the rough times. After living on Hickory Street they moved to Elizabeth Park. which was housing complex. There was a huge presence of drug and alcohol Elizabeth Park. There was pressure on James to get involved with that stuff but he never did. Organized sports was his way to stay out of trouble. It was the only stable thing in his life at the moment. He was first involved with Pee Wee Football. His mother tried to support him the best she could.

Quotation-
Lebron says "Basketball is basically my life, and if i told you something different, I'd be tellin you a lie" (Lee 8).

Reaction-
This book is written in Medias Res. You jump right into the story. This story is about Lebron's life growing up. He had a tough childhood but he strived for the best and look where he is now. Basketball is my life too. I love basketball. His living situation was never stable and he went from house to house. When times were real tough he would go and live with one of his coaches. He created a strong bond with them. Being named the greatest high school basketball player is HUGE honor. He even made the cover of Sports Illustrated as a junior. He is an excellent player and he worked hard for it.