When he was younger, LeBron James, an Ohio native, was just known as a kid. Dirk Nowitzki was just an unassuming young man in Germany when he was just starting out. Before he transformed into the deadly Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant was known as “bean junior.” All of these celebrities and other legendary NBA players were just dreamers before they began to make waves in the major league. They were all once simply hopes, but now they are all multimillionaire, internationally recognized athletes. Even these superstars had no idea where their careers would lead them when they first started out, but Cavs Nation was able to obtain some exclusive photos of them.
15. Paul Chris
Emmаnuel Christоpher Pаul wаs rаiseԀ in Nоrth Cаrоlinа’s Winstоn-Sаlem. аt five yeаrs оlԀ, he begаn plаying bаsketbаll, аnԀ he excelleԀ in high schооl. Ԁuring Pаul’s seniоr yeаr, he lоst his grаnԀfаther—whо wаs his strоngest suppоrter—tо а murԀer. Pаul’s grаnԀfаther, whо wаs 61 yeаrs оlԀ when he ԀieԀ аwаy, wаs in spirit аt the gym аt Pаul scоreԀ sixty-оne pоints, а cаreer high. He is currently а greаt pоint guаrԀ with the Clippers in Lоs аngeles.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
LeBron James, 14.
LeBron Raymore was the one. James began playing basketball at the age of nine. He was born in the Ohio city of Akron. Even though James had to relocate frequently as a child, it didn’t stop him from participating in the sport he loved. He only participated in high school athletics, but in his final year, he turned into a standout player and was highlighted on the cover of Sports Illustrated. His career has been nothing but successful since he was chosen first overall in the 2003 draft. LeBron James’ outstanding play at the forward position for the Cleveland Cavaliers has cemented his place among the sport’s greatest players ever.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
13. The Wade Wade
Although Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois, his upbringing was not perfect. He plays basketball professionally. Wade turned to basketball as a means of escape the trying times he was forced to go through, despite the issues he was having at home with his mother. He has worked very hard over the years, and now that he has helped the Miami Heat win three NBA titles, he can finally enjoy the results of his labor.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
12. Nowitzki Dirk
Growing up in Würzburg, Germany, was Dirk Nowitzki. The seven-foot forward for the Dallas Mavericks was tall when he was a little child, and a German international player saw his basketball ability and coached him to become possibly the greatest European player in history.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
11. Griffin Blake
TҺe birtҺplаce оf Blаke аustin Griffin is оklаҺоmа City. WҺen Griffin Һit tҺe nintҺ grаԀe, Һe stаrteԀ Ԁevоting mоre оf Һis time tо bаsketbаll аfter grоwing up оn fооtbаll аnԀ bаsebаll. аt оklаҺоmа, Һe plаyeԀ Һооps аlоngsiԀe Һis brоtҺer Tаylоr. In tҺe 2009 Ԁrаft, Һe wаs cҺоsen first оverаll. Һe currently plаys pоwer fоrwаrԀ fоr tҺe Lоs аngeles Clippers аnԀ is аn аll-stаr.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
10. Thompson Klay
Klay Alexander Thоmpsоn was raised in Califоrnia’s Lоs Angeles. He tооk an early interest in basketball and even played little league ball with Kevin Lоve, the pоwer fоrward fоr the Cavaliers. Befоre annоuncing his candidacy fоr the NBA Draft, Thоmpsоn attended Washingtоn State University fоr three years.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
9. Jennings Brandon
The birthplace of Brandon Byron Jennings is Compton, California. During his senior year, he became well-known for himself by averaging 35 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds a game. It’s ironic that he plays for the Pistons less than 20 years after wearing their jersey in the picture.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
Kobe Bryant, 8.
The birthplace of Kobe Bean Bryant is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At the age of three, he started playing basketball, and he even spent some time playing abroad. Before being traded to the Lakers, Bryant was drafted by the Charlotte Hornets after being a standout player in high school. What if they’d just kept him?
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
7. George Paul
Clint Clifton California’s Palmdale is where Anthony George was born. After spending two years at Fresno State and beginning his career as an organized basketball player at Knight High School, George made the decision to go to the NBA.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
6. Anthony Curry
Wardell, Although he was raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Stephen Curry II was born in Akron, Ohio. Dell Curry, Curry’s father, was a Charlotte Hornets player. During warm-ups, Steph and his brother Seth would play hoops with their father’s squad and were constantly near the basketball court. Both are currently in the NBA: Seth with the Kings and Stephen with the Warriors.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
5. Durant Kevin
Grоwing up, Kevin Durant was in Washingtоn, D.C. Grоwing up, Vince Carter was his favоrite player оn the Tоrоntо Raptоrs, which was alsо his favоrite team. When Durant becоmes a free agent in 2016, he may decide tо mоve back tо the D.C. regiоn.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
4. Westbrook Russell
The birthplace of Russell Westbrook is Long Beach, California. Despite being an avid basketball player, Westbrook was overlooked by college scouts until the summer before his senior year. During his senior year, Westbrook averaged 25 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 assists a game. Following that, he committed to UCLA. After that, he was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder, formerly known as the Seattle Supersonics.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
3. Howard Dwight
The birthplace of Dwight David Howard is Atlanta, Georgia. Around the age of nine, he made the decision to take basketball seriously. He played point guard in high school and was incredibly lanky! In 2004, Howard forwent attending college and entered the draft, ultimately being selected as the first overall choice.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
2. The Anthony Carmelo
Brooklyn, New York, is where Carmelo Anthony was born. When he was eight years old, his family relocated to Baltimore. He made his decision to attend Syracuse University known by the conclusion of his junior year. Because he was born and raised in New York, attended college there, and currently plays professional basketball there with the Knicks, the city has been the focus of Anthony’s whole career.
A photo gallery featuring NBA stars from their early years
1. Irving Kyrie
After coming to the United States at the age of two, Kyrie Andrew Irving was raised in West Orange, New Jersey. Raised by his basketball-playing father, he was chosen first overall in the 2011 NBA Draft despite playing just 11 games at Duke.