Another example of an athlete who defied the odds to play a professional sport is LeBron James. Some consider him to be one of the best basketball players of all time, and LeBron James is a household name in many households. He has been named the NBA's Most Valuable Player twice, won two Olympic gold medals with the United States national basketball team, and played in three NBA Finals contests (one with each of his teams). James was born on Fraser Street in South Akron, and he grew up in a family that struggled with poverty. His mother worked several jobs to support her family, while his father stayed at home to raise him and his two brothers. He had little interest in sports as a child, but he did manage to play baseball and soccer. In 1996, when he was in ninth grade, James started playing varsity basketball for North Coast High School. That same year, he led his team to the state championship. He went on to play four more years of college basketball at the University of Miami (UM), where he was a member of two National Championship teams. After graduating from UM, he entered the 1997 NBA Draft, where he was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the first overall pick. He immediately made an impact on the court, helping the Cavaliers win their first game after he arrived at training camp with a score of 95 points.