Still hungry

High school phenom LeBron James wants another state title

CLEVELAND (AP) -- LeBron James couldn't grow much more in popularity, but he may have grown in size between his junior and senior years.

"I think I got a little taller," he said.

James, rated the top high school basketball player in the country, wouldn't disclose his height at a news conference Thursday to promote two nationally televised games on the Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary schedule.

He said his height and weight, which may also have increased because of four sessions a week in the weight room, would be revealed in the high school's basketball program published at the end of November.

James, listed as 6-foot-7 last season, enters his senior year still undecided about his future after high school, even though he's expected to be a top NBA draft pick.

He's also hungry to win the state title that eluded his team last season.

St. Bernard Roger Bacon upset James and the Fighting Irish to win the Division II state title in March. St. Vincent-St. Mary was seeking its third consecutive championship after winning the Division III title the previous two years.

"I didn't like it, but ... when I really looked at in perspective, I was glad that we lost," he said, adding that the loss has inspired the team to work harder.

"We're not the best team in Ohio anymore," he said.

James has almost completely recovered from a broken right wrist he suffered during a summer tournament in Chicago. The wrist is back to 90 percent, he said, and should be fully healed when practice starts in November.

St. Vincent-St. Mary Dru Joyce said the injury has not slowed James.

"He's the same fearless player that he was before the injury," Joyce said.

Dubbed "The Chosen One" in a cover story by Sports Illustrated, the 18-year-old said college is still a possibility for him next year. He still lists Ohio State, Florida, Duke, North Carolina and Louisville as his possible choices.

A decision on college won't happen before the early signing period, James said.

"I'm not thinking about nothing else but grades. Grades are first. Education is first," he said, then glanced at his mother with a smile.

James averaged 29 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 3.3 steals last season and will lead the Irish against some of the top teams in the country this winter.

St. Vincent-St. Mary is scheduled to play in Los Angeles; Philadelphia; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Columbus, Ohio; and Pittsburgh. The schedule includes a matchup against Street & Smith magazine's preseason No. 1 -- Mater Dei of Santa Ana, Calif.

The Irish also play Virginia's Oak Hill Academy and Detroit Redford in Cleveland. Both games will be televised nationally on ESPN2.

"Our schedule is ridiculous. We've got the hardest schedule in the country," said James, adding that the competition is fine with him.

"I want to play the best," he said. "If you want to be the best, you've got to play the best."

 

Related information

Stories

LeBron James breaks wrist, sidelined for summer

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video