LeBron James' rise to fame

MANILA, Philippines - Watch how LeBron James rose to stardom in the movie inspired by his true story titled More Than a Game.

Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in the movie about uncommon friendship in the face of unprecedented fame. Their coach is a hard-driving, charismatic but inexperienced player’s father. Their leader is future NBA superstar LeBron James (photo).

This is the Fab Five’s story, an improbable nine-year journey that takes them from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship. Along the way, the close-knit team is repeatedly tested — on and off the court — as James’ unparalleled talent explodes into worldwide celebrity, threatening to destroy everything they’ve set out to achieve together.

More Than a Game combines a series of unforgettable one-on-one interviews with rare news footage, never-before-seen home videos and personal family photographs to bring this heartwarming and wholly American story to life.

The film was initially conceived by co-writer/director Kristpher Belman as a tribute to his hometown of Akron, Ohio. A high school basketball team led by a young phenom named LeBron James had become the talk of the city, and Belman, a film student at Loyola Marymount University, decided to chronicle their season on camera. But getting access to the players proved difficult for the first-time filmmaker as the team was already a national story — and highly protective of their star player.

The film also features Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Romeo Travis and Coach Dru Joyce II.

More Than a Game opens Nov. 4 in SM theaters.