Claim: LeBron James is in the NBA as a player.

The 2003 NBA draft was held on June 26 , 2003 , at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City , New York . The NBA announced that 41 college and high school players and a record 31 international players had filed as early-entry candidates for the 2003 NBA draft . The Cleveland Cavaliers , who had a 22.50 percent probability of obtaining the first selection , won the NBA draft lottery on May 22 , and Cleveland chairman Gordon Gund said afterward his team would select LeBron James . The Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets were second and third respectively .   The 2003 draft is known for having one of the most talented draft pools in draft history . Four of the top five picks are NBA All-Stars and `` Redeem Team '' Olympic Gold Medalists : Carmelo Anthony , Chris Bosh , Dwyane Wade , and LeBron James . Many players have been in the starting line-ups of their respective teams ; nine have already participated in an All-Star Game , Dwyane Wade was named NBA Finals MVP in 2006 and won the NBA All Star Game MVP in 2010 , Boris Diaw won the Most Improved Player Award in 2006 , Jason Kapono won the three point shootout back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008 , James Jones won the three point shootout in 2011 , Leandro Barbosa won the Sixth Man Award in 2007 , Kyle Korver set the NBA record for three point shooting percentage in 2010 -LRB- 53.6 % -RRB- , and in the 2009 , 2010 , 2012 , and 2013 seasons LeBron James won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award , and the NBA Finals MVP in 2012 , 2013 and 2016 . Carmelo Anthony won the 2013 NBA Scoring Title and is the only player in NBA history to win at least three Olympic gold medals . Chris Bosh left Toronto in 2010 as its all-time leader in points , rebounds , blocks , double doubles , free throws made and attempted , and minutes played . The 2003 draft class has drawn comparisons to the 1984 and 1996 NBA draft classes , but is also known for the Detroit Pistons making the controversial selection of Darko Miličić with the second pick over other prospects . Four of the first five picks have won an NBA Championship : Darko Miličić with the Pistons in 2004 ; Dwyane Wade with the Heat in 2006 , 2012 and 2013 ; Chris Bosh also with the Heat in 2012 and 2013 ; LeBron James with the Heat in 2012 and 2013 and in 2016 with the Cavaliers . Out of the entire draft , only Nick Collison has played his entire career for the team that drafted him , although Kirk Hinrich , after being traded twice , returned to the Bulls team that drafted him and holds the team record for most career 3-point field goals and is third all-time in games played , behind only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen . LeBron James , who was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 , left for the Miami Heat in 2010 , but re-signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers on July 11 , 2014 .