How Big is LeBron James?

Intro

LeBron James' kicked off his 22nd season in October, with his son, Bronny, suited up alongside him. And while the NBA's all-time leading scorer recently turned 40, there's one thing that can't be argued: LeBron James was blessed with some incredible physical gifts. In today's article, we'll take a look at LeBron's physical prowess and the rare combination of size, speed, and strength that has made him one of the greatest to ever play in the NBA. 

LeBron James: Physically Gifted

LeBron James was born on December 30, 1984, in Akron, Ohio, to Gloria Marie James and Anthony McClelland. From an early age, he was bigger than other kids his age. As a freshman in high school at St. Vincent-St. Mary, LeBron was already 6'2" and earned a starting spot on the varsity basketball team. 

LeBron would eventually grow to an impressive 6 feet 8 inches tall (2.07 meters), his current height today. For perspective, the average American male is 5'9" according to the CDC. LeBron wears a size 15 shoe, and his first signature shoe, the Nike Air Zoom Generation LeBron 1, was released during his rookie season in 2003.

LeBron's ability to handle the basketball, change direction, and get off the ground at his size make him truly one of a kind. 

The Weighty Matter

Cleveland LeBron in the Post

​Beyond his height, LeBron James carries an imposing weight that contributes to his physical prowess. Tipping the scales at around 250 pounds (113 kilograms), he possesses a robust build that enhances his ability to maneuver effortlessly through the court.

When you look at LeBron, he's extremely lean, and his 250 pounds are almost all muscle. During the 2003 NBA Combine, LeBron's body fat measured just 6.7%. 

LeBron's physical gifts have allowed him to play an attacking style of basketball. Of his 38,652 total career points, 8,087 have come from the free-throw line. 

Diet

LeBron has talked a lot about his diet and the effects that it's had on his longevity. In general, LeBron's nutrition plan is broken into three areas: 

1. Clean Eating: LeBron emphasizes eating clean, whole foods. This means avoiding processed foods and focusing on nutrient-dense options.

2. Hydration: Staying hydrated is crucial. LeBron drinks plenty of water throughout the day, ensuring his body is well-hydrated for optimal performance and recovery.

3. Balance: His diet is well-balanced, including a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats to fuel his body.

​Throughout his career, he's been known to increase his carbs during the season given the sheer amount of physical activity. He talks about his diet in more detail in the video below. 

Wingspan: Reaching New Heights

We talked about this with Darius Garland in a previous article. In the game of basketball, wingspan plays a crucial role because it allows players to play "bigger" than what they are. By definition, wingspan refers to the space from fingertips to fingertips with your arms stretched out horizontally. Many will measure wingspan in both total inches/feet or by comparing it to your height. So, for example, if you're 6'0" feet tall and have a wingspan of 6'2", some would say your wingspan is +2". 

LeBron James boasts an impressive wingspan that amplifies his already formidable physical attributes. With his arms outstretched, his wingspan spans an incredible 7 feet (2.13 meters or +4"), enabling him to intimidate opponents and disrupt passing lanes. LeBron has 2,186 steals in his career, which can be attributed to really good instincts and long arms. 

Vertical Jump

LeBron Taking Flight in Cleveland

LeBron has a 44" vertical jump. So while he's big and powerful, he's also an extremely explosive athlete. Back in the 2003 McDonald's All American festivities, LeBron wowed during the dunk contest and easily took home the trophy. Sadly, he never participated in an NBA dunk contest. 

While some of the highlight reel dunks have slowed down a bit as he's gotten older, LBJ should always be mentioned as one of the elite athletes ever to play in the NBA. 

For a bit of perspective, LeBron is currently finishing his 21st season in the NBA. Only 7 other players have ever played 20 seasons. 

Final Thoughts

One of the most impressive things about LeBron's 22 seasons in the NBA is his ability to stay healthy. Sure, he's had some injuries later in his career as a Laker. But, overall, he's never had a major injury that has sidetracked his career. One hand, it's easy to point to his natural gifts as mentioned above. LeBron is big, strong, and explosive, and while we've seen guys built like that in the past, we've never seen them move like LeBron. 

On the other hand, though, it's one thing to have Ferrari. It's another to drive it correctly. LeBron has taken incredible care of his body, investing in trainers, nutritionists, massage therapists, etc. to keep him in elite shape and form. It's takes an incredible amount of discipline to do this for a month, much less two decades. So while we all agree that LeBron James was born with elite genetics, his decision to take care of himself has extended his career.