LeBron James was swept in the 2018 Finals. After the loss, he left the Cavaliers for the second time in his career to sign with the Lakers. But Bron's legacy is very much in tact, as evidenced by him being named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time in his career (winning previously in 2013 and 2016).
While James' on-court accomplishments were impressive—he led a subpar Cavs team to the Finals—it was his off-court heroics that really impressed. James opened up his "I Promise" public school for at-risk kids in his hometown of Akron, Ohio—a palace even by snooty private school standards. On top of that, he stood up for athletes everywhere by refusing to "shut up and dribble" in the face of the racist and condescending Trump administration.Â
James joins Steph Curry (2015), Michael Jordan (1991, 1992, and 1993) and Larry Bird (1986) as the only NBA players to have captured the AP's Male Athlete of the Year award. On Wednesday, Serena Williams was named the AP's Female Athlete of the Year.
