Latest basketball sensation LeBron James (18) made the leap from high school to the Cleveland Cavaliers when the NBA team made him the top pick in this year's draft.
The six-foot, eight-inch, 240-pound shooting guard has an uncanny feel for the game, a gritty competitiveness and spectacular dunking and passing ability that many rate among the league's best.
Such is the popularity of "King James" that many of high school games were carried on national television games and others moved to the University of Akron to accommodate the fans.
He has appeared on television shows from MTV to ESPN and on the covers of GQand Sports Illustrated.
The NBA is hoping that James - whom Nike have signed to a $90 million endorsement deal - can fill the superstar void left by the retirement of Michael Jordan.