"I would have loaded up": LeBron James makes feelings known on how we would approach high school NIL deals

Four-time NBA champ LeBron James is arguably the best player in the sport. The 21-time All-Star, who joined the league straight from his high school, St. Vincent- St. Mary in Akron, Ohio, recently shared his thoughts on NIL deals that high school and college athletes are receiving currently.

A highlight from LeBron James' conversation on "The Pat McAfee Show" was posted on Instagram by SportsCenter Next.

In the clip LeBron jokingly shares how he would have approached NIL deals if they were around during his high school career. He says:

"I mean, I can imagine if NIL was around when I was around in high school, I would have loaded up. I would have loaded up big time for sure," James said.

There is no doubt that James could have commanded huge NIL fees and deals in high school. He was already averaging 18.0 points as a freshman, with the numbers increasing each year. The 3x Mr. Ohio Basketball winner famously got drafted directly into the NBA.

The 40-year-old continues to have an impressive season with the LA Lakers. In his 21st season in the NBA, he is averaging 24.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game.

One of his best games this season came against the four-time NBA champ Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. James finished with a double-double, scoring 42 points with 17 rebounds and eight assists.

His elder son, Bronny James, who plays with him on the Lakers, played for Sierra Canyon in high school. His youngest son, Bryce James, recently concluded his high school senior year at Sierra Canyon, too.

Bryce James recently helped his team win the 2025 CIF State Boys Basketball Championships after a 58-53 victory over Lincoln in the finals. He will be heading into the first season of his college career with the Arizona Wildcats, committing early in January 2025.

---

How good was LeBron James in high school?

Syndication: Akron Beacon Journal - Source: Imagn

LeBron James was a force to be reckoned with as a 6-foot-9 forward in high school. He was featured on the cover of SLAM High School magazine and Sports Illustrated in his high school days.

Here's a list of accolades that LeBron James won when he was playing for St. Vincent-St. Mary:

• 3x Mr. Ohio Basketball
• 3x USA Today All-USA First Born
• 3x Ohio Division III State Championship
• 2x Gatorade National Player of the Year
• 2x USA Today's Boys' High School Basketball Player of the Year
• 2x Parade High School Basketball Player of the Year
• McDonald's All-American Jordan Brand All-American

In his senior year, James posted averages of 30.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.9 steals per game for St. Vincent-St. Mary, before entering the NBA draft and being picked No. 1 by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.

LeBron James will be looking to grab another win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.