NBA star LeBron James, unlike many others, had quite the year. The Los Angeles Lakers forward won his 4th NBA ring in the just-concluded NBA season and was a role model on and off the court.
TIME magazine has awarded the Athlete of the Year award to LeBron James in recognition of what the 35-year-old has achieved both on and off the court.
James was at the forefront of the Lakers record-equalling 17th championship title in October during a season unlike any other, with the majority of the campaign being held in an NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
LeBron James won both his fourth NBA title and fourth Finals MVP award in the same season to become the first player in NBA history to win the accolade with three different teams.
Only Michael Jordan, with six titles, has more.
James has since extended his contract with the Lakers, signing a two-year deal worth a reported $85 million.
The boy from Akron, LeBron James, has been one of the sport’s leading voices, lending his voice to speak against racial injustice and police brutality, and ahead of this November’s US presidential election, he promoted voter registration, setting up the organization “More Than A Vote” in an effort to combat systemic, racist voter suppression.
Prominent and vibrant Black athletes and artists who used their social media channels to encourage and educate their followers on how to cast a ballot for this year’s election were all part of the group.
“Not only is he the best player,” tennis champion Naomi Osaka, who wore masks honoring victims of racial violence during her run to the US Open title in September, told TIME, “but he has the most powerful voice.”
Congratulations