Long before he became a world-famous name in basketball, LeBron James was a nationwide prodigy. The biggest ever in the world of basketball. He began playing the sport at a young age and quickly demonstrated exceptional talent and skill.
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James attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. He was Ohio’s Mr. Basketball for three consecutive years. Furthermore, he also led his high school team to three state championships and was heavily covered by the media as a high school basketball prodigy.
However, some people might also be familiar with the name ‘Lenny Cooke’, who was a better recruit than James and another top name in the country in 2001, Carmelo Anthony.
Believe it or not, that man did not make it to the NBA, and hated LeBron for 20 years for it.
Lenny Cooke reveals he hated LeBron James for 20 years
LeBron James was a standout player in high school and subsequently went as the first overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards and accolades, including four NBA championships and four NBA MVP awards.
Today, LeBron is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. But it could all have been different if Leonard Cooke made it to the NBA with him. He didn’t.
Cooke revealed in a recent Flip Da Script podcast appearance, “he hated LeBron for 20 years,” for it until one day his daughter recognized him from an old clip and said he was better than the NBA superstar.
Watch the heart-breaking yet adorable story in the following embed.
How did Lenny Cooke spoil his career despite being better than LeBron and Melo?
Against the suggestions from everyone of importance in his life, a 6ft 6’ guard, Lenny declared for the 2002 Draft. And even though he was the #4 rated pick pre-draft, no NBA team went for him.
The reason? Probably his attitude. Along with James, Cooke had attended the 2001 ABCD camp for the highly recruited high school players where Kobe Bryant, the 2x NBA Champ was mentoring them.
Cooke reportedly said Kobe was soft for telling them to have a disciplined life rather than partying every night when they do make it big eventually. Ironically, he did even not make it to the league.
Although he did get a tryout with the Boston Celtics the year James was coming into the NBA, he never played after the Summer League. And he blames the league for plotting against him.
