25 Things You Didn't Know About LeBron James

Our birthday salute to The King.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Ever since elementary school, people have known about LeBron James. But do you really know LeBron? In this day and age, it's hard to keep under wraps, especially when you're one of the most recognizable athletes in the world today. But maybe there are some things you don't know about the man hailing from Akron, OH.

From his rough childhood that made him into the dominant player you see in the NBA today to the moment he nearly broke his neck, there's plenty you may not know about The King. As the four-time regular season MVP and two-time NBA champion (go ahead and weep, haters) celebrates his birthday, we've compiled a list of the 25 Things You Didn't Know About LeBron James.

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In fourth grade, he missed 82 of 160 school days.

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The International Management Group looked into LeBron as early as ninth grade.

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Jordan's personal orthopedist and trainer helped LeBron rehab after he broke his wrist in an AAU game in Chicago.

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LeBron tried to declare for the NBA Draft after his junior year in high school.

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After surpassing Jordan's 6'6'' height, he refused to be measured.

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LeBron's favorite subject in high school was Earth Science.

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LeBron and MJ are the only players to win a regular season MVP, NBA Finals MVP, and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.

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LeBron and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are the only two players to ever win at least two MVP awards by 25.

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His first Nikes were inspired by the Hummer H2 after the scandal that involved his mom getting him the car in high school.

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LeBron served a one-game suspension in high school for receiving throwback jerseys.

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In his second time back to Cleveland, LeBron reportedly missed the introductions because he used the bathroom.

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James was almost left off the 2008 USA Basketball Team because "no one could stand James as a 19-year-old in the 2004 Athens Olympics, nor the 2006 World Championships."

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LeBron is part owner of Liverpool FC.

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Jay-Z's "Blow the Whistle" freestyle was in defense of LeBron after The King was called overrated by DeShawn Steven

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LeBron tore down a rim during a practice scrimmage on Nov. 16, 2002 in Stow, Ohio and according to ESPN the Magazine, he nearly broke his neck.

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He used to live with his Pee Wee football team coach, Frankie Walker, and his family while LeBron's mother Gloria p

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He has a tradition of getting German chocolate cake for his birthday.

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Michael Jordan wanted him to attend his private scrimmages in Chicago the summer before his junior year in high school.

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Initially, he wore No. 32 in high school because his second-favorite player Dr. J "wore it at first."

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He has a secret handshake with Jay-Z.

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During a Teachers vs. Students game in 8th grade, he got the ball on a breakaway and threw down his first dunk.

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He now wears No. 6 because "my first child was born on Oct. 6, it's my Olympic number and my second child was born in June."

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His high school coach made him do 10 push ups every time he would curse.

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As a high school senior, he attended the adidas ABCD Camp wearing Nike sneakers and at the Nike All-American Camp,

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He writes and eats left-handed but shoots with his right hand.

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