Lebron James’ Major Upset at Age 16, Before “Camp Counselor” Kobe Bryant Assured His NBA Greatness to Childhood Friends

The basketball phenom LeBron James has dominated the NBA for over two decades. He had a remarkable journey that started long before he became a sensation. The legend heading for his 21st season made his mark in his midteens itself. His budding basketball prowess would set the stage for his ascension to NBA greatness.

The story of LeBron James takes one back to his high school days at Saint Vincent-Saint Mary, where he first began to make waves in the world of basketball.

LeBron James Under Kobe Bryant Shade

Before his junior year, LeBron was invited to something that greatly impacted his early basketball career. He attended the ABCD camp held in New Jersey. This prestigious event was founded by basketball shoe executive Sonny Vaccaro back in 1984, where top-rated high school players from across the country gathered to showcase their skills.

It was at this camp that LeBron caught the attention of a particular “camp counselor” – none other than Kobe Bryant himself. He was ultimately named the Most Valuable Player of the ABCD camp in front of Kobe.

Willie McGee, one of LeBron’s childhood friends who saw footage from the camp, recalls in Joe Vardon’s podcast “A King’s Reign”, how LeBron had more to offer. “And after that,” he said, “he [LeBron] becomes the number one player in the country and it was so much more left in him… He wouldn’t even locked into the game; you could see it on his face.”

Read More: ‘Love to See it’: LeBron James Reacts to St. Vincent – St. Mary’ Malaki Branham Becoming Ohio’s Mr. Basketball

Over his final two years at Saint Vincent-Saint Mary High School, LeBron continued to shine and solidify his status as a young prodigy. He won back-to-back national Gatorade Player of the Year awards twice.

The Rise of “The Chosen One”

During his high school days in Akron, Ohio, 16 YO and standing at a monstrous 6ft7, LeBron was already turning heads within the national media.

Publications like Slam Magazine began touting him as potentially the best high school player in America. In February 2001, Sports Illustrated even featured him on their cover under the moniker “The Chosen One.” 

Willie recounts how these media accolades made them realize just how good he was becoming:

This surge of attention marked a turning point where people realized that they were witnessing something special unfold.