LEBRON JAMES LEGEND : BASKETBALL HONOURS

 

He helped make basketball a global game. LeBron James defined the sports for millions of fans around the world.

At Paris Games, he is playing in front of - and against - people from around the globe who grew up dreaming of one day seeing him in person.

During James's two decades in the National Basketball Association, the sport's popularity has exploded internationally.

A fascination that began with greats like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant has been supercharged during the James era.

Because of advances in technology and lucrative media rights deals, teenagers in countries like the Philippines, Uganda and Brazil can easily watch his games. He was the best-selling N.B.A. jersey in the world last year.

Now, far removed from the teenager who was frightened about leaving the country, James is a basketball's global ambassador, his presence marketing the game better than anything else.

On an Olympics roster replete with All Stars, James is the unquestioned star. His otherworldly talent, special personal story and career longevity have meant that fans around the world have spent 22 years voraciously consuming content about him.

Some of them love the game because of him. Some don't love the game - they just love James.

The World Students Society thanks Tania Ganguli, Mady Camara and Manuela Andreoni.