LeBron James Museum opens in Akron, Ohio

watch: LeBron James breaks NBA record for most career points

LeBron James returned to Cleveland on Saturday night as James’ Los Angeles Lakers defeated his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Still, the Cavaliers paid tribute to the Los Angeles Lakers forward, who set the NBA record for most career points in February, passing Hall of Famer and fellow Laker Kareem Abdul-Jai Barr.

“It’s special. As a kid from Akron, who grew up 30 miles south of here, to be able to enlist in the Army here, spend my first seven years here and then come back for another four years and do Something special that the franchise has never seen before,” James said. “When I got drafted, I said, I want to light up this place like Vegas, so I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job at that in my 11 years here.”

The nostalgic tribute comes as James reaches another milestone: The LeBron James Family Foundation opened a LeBron James museum called “LeBron James Home” on Saturday in Akron, Ohio. The museum offers a glimpse into the life and career of the perennial NBA All-Star. James hosted his Lakers teammates at the museum to tour the exhibit.

In the heart of James’ hometown, museum visitors will first embark on an immersive multimedia experience into a recreation of James’ childhood apartment in Akron’s Spring Hill neighborhood. The room is filled with items from the 20-year-old NBA veteran’s past.

As fans continue to tour the exhibit, iconic jerseys from James’ career are also on display, including James’ McDonald’s All-American jersey, which was donated by James as a high school student as he attracted national attention as one of America’s top talents. focus on. Further inside is the all-white suit James wore in the 2003 draft, when he was selected No. 1 overall by his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

James fans will follow the emerging star through his early years with the Cavaliers and his highly publicized decision to sign with the Miami Heat. Through multimedia and game-worn sneakers and apparel, visitors will relive his championships in South Beach, Cleveland and Los Angeles.

Guests will also learn about James’ efforts off the court to give back to the community. The exhibit will show a timeline of his foundation’s evolution from a bike-a-thon in 2009 to the launch of the I PROMISE education program in 2018.

The LeBron James Family Foundation said all ticket sales will go directly back to his foundation and be distributed to “I Promise” students, parents, educators and family members.