Photo: sportspromedia.com

It was the year 2006, LeBron James is 21 years old. Normally, most 21 year-olds are still living with their parents and trying to find the direction they want to take their life in. Still trying to find a job. Maybe still in school. LeBron, on the other hand, was getting offered a role on the sequel of “Space Jam.”

Although this was once in a lifetime opportunity, James says he was not prepared to take on the role:

“I didn’t think I was ready to do anything of that magnitude. I wanted to continue to focus on my game and give it as much as I could.”

The admiration of Michael Jordan began at a young age for LeBron, because as a kid growing up in Akron, James says the original version of Space Jam was “a big part” of his childhood. This was also his response when asked what he admired most about Michael Jordan as a junior in high school:

“A lot of players know how to play the game, but they really don’t know how to play the game, if you know what I mean. They can put the ball in the hoop, but I see things before they even happen. You know how a guy can make his team so much better? That’s one thing I learned from watching Jordan,” (via Sports Illustrated).

Fast-forward 15 years later, James is now in the same conversations as Michael Jordan when debating the GOAT of basketball. He has gotten married, had 3 kids, and won 3 championships. He has also now accepted the Space Jam role. The movie, “Space Jam 2: A New Legacy,” is expecting to release in theaters on July 16th.