<P> James was born on December 30 , 1984 in Akron , Ohio to a 16 - year - old mother , Gloria Marie James . His father , Anthony McClelland , was reportedly Gloria 's casual boyfriend with an extensive criminal record . Gloria raised the child on her own . When James was growing up , life was often a struggle for the family , as they moved from apartment to apartment in the seedier neighborhoods of Akron while Gloria struggled to find steady work . Realizing that her son would be better off in a more stable family environment , Gloria allowed him to move in with the family of Frank Walker , a local youth football coach , who introduced James to basketball when he was nine years old . </P>
<P> James was born on December 30 , 1984 in Akron , Ohio to a 16 - year - old mother , Gloria Marie James . His father , Anthony McClelland , was reportedly Gloria 's casual boyfriend with an extensive criminal record . Gloria raised the child on her own . When James was growing up , life was often a struggle for the family , as they moved from apartment to apartment in the seedier neighborhoods of Akron while Gloria struggled to find steady work . Realizing that her son would be better off in a more stable family environment , Gloria allowed him to move in with the family of Frank Walker , a local youth football coach , who introduced James to basketball when he was nine years old . </P>
at what age did lebron start playing basketball
at what age did lebron start playing basketball
nine
nine