If you have 23.4 million followers on Twitter, 12.4 million followers on Instagram, and 22 million likes on Facebook or an aggregate social media following of almost 58 million like NBA superstar LeBron James, then you command a huge influence fit for a king. Enough influence to be the second in income earnings, especially through his endorsements. Enough likes to make him the number one basketball player in terms of social media domination.
LeBron, perhaps the greatest basketball player of this generation, has a fiercely commanding control of the hard court. You see the intensity not only in his decisive moves but also in the cold steel focus of his eyes.
Fiercely competitive, he fights another battle for poor children off the hard court. He is fighting to give them an opportunity to be trained, be mentored, to rise amid obstacles and shine. Before he left for Asia, LeBron announced that he would be providing scholarships to thousands of indigent children in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. In China and the Philippines, he mentored and inspired young street ballers selected via a reality basketball camp fully sponsored by Nike called Rise.
LeBron’s deadly combination of speed and size makes him the most gifted pound-for-pound athlete in the world. His athleticism and skills, combined with his steel determination, make him unstoppable as proven by his four regular season MVP awards and five consecutive appearances in the NBA finals.
On top of his game, the 30-year-old LeBron James seems to glide up and down the court effortlessly, play relentless defense, sink difficult jumpshots, shoot from really far, and slam the rim with one-handed ally-oops. Last August 20, at the MOA Arena during the exhibition game of Nike Rise, we saw him throw the ball while sitting down in the perimeter and shoot it way past the three-point territory. He also regaled the thousands of Filipino fans in attendance by turning the last two minutes of the exhibition game into a dunk fest of his shooting brilliance.
What many don’t realize is that the current seemingly indestructible LeBron went through many years of adversity, persistence, and finally triumph. The king knows very well that support and encouragement from coaches, parents, and siblings are crucial to young developing athletes.
Raised by a single parent, LeBron did not have a steady home as a child but found shelter in the home of his football coach. The same coach encouraged him to explore other sports, including basketball. He enjoyed playing sports and sports helped him transcend the hardships he faced.
While he also enjoyed football, LeBron focused on basketball in his junior year. His best friend’s father was also his basketball coach who showered him with love and support on and off the court, which helped him stay motivated to improve.
LeBron openly discussed his story to specifically inspire young Filipinos to rise from adversity through the sport of basketball. Raised by his mother alone and coming from humble beginnings, LeBron is very familiar with the challenges the kids face right now.
“I think my story speaks for itself, you know I was a kid who didn’t believe that I can’t make my dream become a reality, and I know it will take a lot of hard work, a lot of sacrifice, and a lot of love. I just love the game so much that I won’t let nobody tell me that I couldn’t accomplish something, so I know exactly what a lot of these kids are going through,” he told local media.
LeBron is extremely aware of the privilege and responsibility of having great influence on the youth. He said that “(it) feels great to be able to be someone that people look to, to be able to accomplish more.”
He summed up his role as a special mentor to the kids. “More than teaching them skill sets, it’s about the inspiration that comes behind it. The stories that I can give them, tell them about the game. It’s up to them to use that, to better themselves. That is more important than anything else,” he said.
LeBron also commemorated his second Manila tour with a limited-edition, Filipino-inspired shoe designed by part-Filipino Nike designer Erick Goto. He went to the Nike store at Bonifacio High Street to unveil the LeBron 12 Low that is part of the special Rise collection. The shoe is a distinct Filipino blue such as that in the national flag with speckles of the red and yellow around it.
He also visited the Tenement Court in Western Bicutan where a newly refurbished hardcourt sports a full image of him in action done by local artists.
Rise above all: The Nike Rise Team poses with their idol. Today, LeBron fights another battle for poor children off the hard court. He is fighting to give them an opportunity to be trained, be mentored, to rise amid obstacles and shine.
LeBron was visibly moved by this as he posted a photo of the hard court with these words: “Visited this amazing place in Manila today. An abandoned parking garage that’s been taken over by more than 5,000 displaced family members. This basketball court is its heart and soul, and if it weren’t for basketball giving the kids a distraction from the bad influences around them, the state would tear it down. Honored to have my likeness grace this space. Until next time Philippines. #RiseAboveAll #StriveForGreatness.”
“Of course it’s humbling to know that you’re inspiring people all over the world, all the way to your homeland. I’m also grateful… It’s a really cool thing that they would do something like that in their home and allow me to be an inspiration to them. Hopefully, I can stay there forever and make my mark here, but to be there today and to see those kids, all those families. To have that sense of hope and bringing that hope. They all need each other to be great and they’re definitely going there,” he added.
Needless to say, the King gave thousands of fans mega doses of inspiration to draw from for a long time. The warm welcome from the fans and the great passion for basketball seem to inspire LeBron as well and has energized him back.
In the exhibition game, the clear fan favorite was a 12-year-old girl from Dagupan, Kristine Cayabyab. The only lady to be part of the Nike Rise team, she also stole the show in a three-point shootout by beating all the contenders, sinking 15 three-point shots including four shots in a row twice!
Nike Rise coach Chot Reyes is super proud of this girl. LeBron was easily taken by her charm and basketball skills. He gave her a signed basketball and signed her Nike shoes as well.
Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: On August 22, @KingJames tweeted, “Thank you guys!! Truly special to be with u guys the Philippines. Love you guys!!”
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Photos courtesy of Star Magic actor and singer Khalil Ramos who likewise surprised me with his photography skills. It was truly a magical week of talent. Thank you.
Post me a note at mylene@goldsgym.com.ph or mylenedayrit@gmail.com.