AKRON, Ohio — After the kid from Akron became the NBA's all-time leading scorer, LeBron James' hometown is honoring him.
Mayor Dan Horrigan announced on Wednesday that today is being declared "LeBron James Day" in the city.
“What a thrill it is to see Akron’s own LeBron James become the NBA’s All-Time leading scorer, a record that may never be broken again. On the court, LeBron James has demonstrated elite athletic ability, determination, and grit over the course of his career,” said Mayor Horrigan.
The declaration comes a day after James broke the NBA record for scoring the most total points after bringing his career total to 38,388 in a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Over the years, the St. Vincent-St. Mary graduate has continued to give back to his hometown in Summit County. The LeBron James Family Foundation provides over 1,400 Akron-area students with programs, support and mentors to help them succeed both inside and outside the classroom. In 2018, the LeBron James Family Foundation opened the I Promise School.
“Despite all the on-court and worldwide accolades, LeBron never forgot his humble roots right here in Akron. The LeBron James Family Foundation has invested resources, time, and passion into creating generational change for Akron’s youth and families," said Horrigan. "His actions on and off the court are the prime example of leadership. 38,390 points in, and I cannot wait to see what he does next. On behalf of myself and the entire City of Akron, congratulations LeBron James!”
On Facebook, the City of Akron wrote, "Today, let's all remember that a kid from #Akron can do anything with hard work. "
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar previously held the NBA's record for nearly four decades. Following the moment, Abdul-Jabbar joined James' family members on the court to recognize the special moment.