LeBron James, a native of Akron, Ohio, was known as a youngster when he was younger. Dirk Nowitzki was just a skinny youngster in Germany, and Kobe Bryant was called “bean junior” before becoming the legendary Black Mamba. These NBA stars, along with others, were once just hopeful dreamers, but are now world-famous athletes who earn millions of dollars. Cavs Nation has shared some unique images of these superstars from their past, when they had no idea where their careers would take them.
Growing up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Christopher Emmanuel Paul began playing basketball at age five and excelled in high school. Unfortunately, during his senior year, his grandfather, his biggest supporter, was murdered. Despite the tragedy, Paul’s grandfather’s spirit was present when Paul scored a career-high 61 points. Today, he is a renowned point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers.
LeBron James, once known as LeBron Raymore, hails from Akron, Ohio where he first picked up a basketball at the age of nine. Despite moving around frequently during his youth, he remained committed to the game and excelled in high school. In fact, James was even featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated during his senior year. He was eventually selected as the first overall pick in the 2003 draft and has since enjoyed a stellar career. Widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, James has dominated on the court as a forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Dwyane Wade, a famous professional basketball player, hails from Chicago, Illinois. Though he didn’t have a picture-perfect childhood, he found solace in basketball and used it as an escape from his problems at home, especially with his mother. He worked hard and dedicated himself to the sport, and his efforts paid off when he helped the Miami Heat win three NBA championships.
Dirk Nowitzki, the talented seven-foot forward for the Dallas Mavericks, hails from Würzburg, Germany. As a child, he experienced a growth spurt that allowed him to tower over his peers. His impressive basketball skills caught the eye of a well-known German international player who mentored him and helped mold him into what many consider to be the greatest European player of all time.
Blake Austin Griffin was brought into this world in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. As a youngster, he split his focus between baseball and football before fully committing to basketball when he hit high school. He teamed up with his sibling Taylor to play basketball at Oklahoma University and eventually became the top pick in the 2009 Draft. Nowadays, he holds the position of the all-star power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Klay Alexander Thompson, a native of Los Angeles, California, had a passion for basketball from a young age. Interestingly, he played little league basketball alongside Kevin Love, the power forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers. After three years of playing for Washington State University, Thompson decided to enter the NBA Draft.
The basketball player, Brandon Byron Jennings, hails from Compton, California. His senior year in high school was particularly impressive, with an average of 35 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds per game. It’s amusing to note that in the photo, he’s sporting a Pistons jersey, and yet he eventually played for them less than two decades after the picture was taken.
Kobe Bean Bryant, the legendary basketball player, hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was passionate about basketball from a very young age and even played internationally for some time. His exceptional skills in high school made him stand out, and he was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets but traded to the Lakers later. It’s intriguing to think of what would have happened if the Hornets had retained him.
Paul Clifton Anthony George, famously known as Paul George, hails from Palmdale, California. He initiated his basketball journey by playing organized basketball at Knight High School and later attended Fresno State for two years before eventually making his way to the NBA.
Stephen Curry, also known as Wardell Stephen Curry II, hails from Akron, Ohio, but he spent most of his formative years in Charlotte, North Carolina. His dad, Dell Curry, was a member of the Charlotte Hornets, so Stephen and his brother Seth had the opportunity to shoot hoops alongside their pops’ colleagues during warm-ups. Basketball has always been a significant part of their lives, and nowadays, both siblings have made it to the NBA — Stephen with the Warriors and Seth with the Kings.
Let’s chat about Kevin Durant for a bit. This fella hails from Washington, D.C. and has quite the basketball background. When he was a youngin’, his favorite team was none other than the Toronto Raptors. He particularly idolized Vince Carter – what a legend! Word on the street is that Durant may head back to his hometown when he becomes a free agent in 2016. Can you imagine the excitement if he ends up playing for the local team? It would be a dream come true for many fans.
Russell Westbrook, a native of Long Beach, California, had a passion for basketball from a young age. Although he had talent, college scouts didn’t take much notice of him until the summer before his senior year. During his final high school year, Westbrook averaged remarkable statistics which included 25 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and three steals per game. Later, he committed to UCLA and went on to be drafted by the Seattle Supersonics, which is now called the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Dwight David Howard, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, developed a keen interest in basketball at the young age of nine and played the point guard position in high school despite his lanky frame. He chose to skip college and entered the draft in 2004, which led to him being selected as the first overall pick.
Carmelo Anthony, a professional basketball player, originally hails from Brooklyn, New York. However, when he was just eight years old, his family relocated to Baltimore. During his junior year of high school, he declared that he would be attending Syracuse University. It’s worth noting that Anthony’s career has always centered around New York, where he spent his childhood and college years, and now plays for the Knicks in the NBA.
Kyrie Irving, a renowned basketball player, hails from West Orange, New Jersey, where he was brought up by his father who was also a basketball player. Interestingly, Kyrie moved to the U.S. from Australia when he was just two years old. His exceptional talent in the sport earned him a spot in the 2011 NBA Draft as the first overall pick, having played only 11 games at Duke University.
