Lebron James Biography for kids. Lebron James was born December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio. His early childhood was a struggle as he often moved from one home to another with his teenage mother, Gloria. He began playing basketball at an early age and showed tremendous talent early in his life. James quickly made a name for himself as a freshmen at St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High school. As a freshman, he was named the team’s starting small foward an averaged, 20 points per game in leading histeam to a 27-0 record and the Division lll state championship. After this freshman year, Lebron took the number “23” in honor of his childhood idol, Michael Jordan. In his sophomore year, he was named “Mr. Basketball” in Ohio and averaged 25.2 points per game and led his team to its second consecutive Division III state championship. At this point, James began attracting national attention for his basketball skills and chose to stop playing football, a sport in which he also garnered All-state honors as a wide receiver. James just kept getting better as he progressed through high school. He averaged 29 points per game as a junior and earned a spot on the All USA First Team, and was named the 2001-02 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the Year