LeBron James Museum Now Open in Akron, Ohio Smart News

LeBron James dribbling in Lakers yellow jersey

The Lakers play the Cavaliers in Cleveland over the weekend, so James took his Lakers teammates on a tour of the new museum.

Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

This month, a new museum dedicated to basketball star LeBron James opens in the athlete’s hometown of Akron, Ohio.

Known as LeBron James’ home court, this immersive museum explores the NBA star’s upbringing, career and many accomplishments on and off the court. The LeBron James Family Foundation operates the venue.

When museum visitors first enter the museum, staff members hand them a rope key similar to the one James carried while growing up in Akron in the late 1980s and 1990s. Guests can use the key to open the door labeled “602”.

Once inside, visitors will find a replica of James’ childhood apartment, including his bedroom, which is decorated with sneakers, sports posters, trophies and a stereo sitting on a milk crate.Some items, including televisions and computers, reportedly once belonged to James, while others came from elsewhere cleveland magazineDanny Cunningham.

From there, visitors can learn about James’ time at St. Vincent-St. Marie High School and stroll through a replica of the school’s basketball locker room. Also on display is a portion of the high school basketball court, as well as many of James’ high school trophies and jerseys.

Next, the story turns to James’ career. Visitors to the museum can see the white suit James wore in the 2003 NBA Draft, when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected James with the No. 1 overall pick. The museum also houses many artifacts from his first time with the Cavaliers, including photos, newspapers, jerseys and sneakers.

Other exhibits explore his subsequent career, including his decision to join the Miami Heat in 2010, his return to Cleveland in 2014 and his most recent move to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.

Another room explores his personal life and career off the field. It features photos of his family and screens showing some of the films, series and audio projects he helped produce.

The museum also highlights its philanthropic initiatives, including the educational program “I Promise.” Proceeds from museum admissions will be returned to the project through the foundation.

Michelle Campbell, executive director of the LeBron James Family Foundation, told Spectrum News 1’s Wiley: “Having this museum here is part of that whole legacy and creating a better life and using his platform for others. Part of the journey to do more and better things.” Gyawali.

James was in town for the opening of the museum over the weekend when the Lakers played the Cavaliers in Cleveland.according to Akron Beacon Magazineof George M. Thomas, who even gave his Lakers teammates a tour of the new venue.

He also acknowledged that the museum would not be as strong as it was without the vision of his mother, Gloria James.

“Ever since I first started playing sports, I used to get mad at my mom for saving everything,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “She threw it right back in my face… because there was a lot in it. (Items) are all things she saved. It’s pretty cool.”

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