LeBron James Says Monday Will Be "One Of The Greatest Days" Of His Life
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 10: LeBron James #23 and Lance Stephenson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after James made a shot against the Golden State Warriors and was fouled during their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 123-113. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LeBron James has accomplished basically everything that a professional athlete can accomplish - championships, MVPs, huge contracts, major endorsement deals - but what he's set to do on Monday might trump all of that.
The Los Angeles Lakers' new star forward says that Monday is going to be "one of the greatest days" of his life.
James, an Akron, Ohio native, is set to open a public school in his hometown.
The school, The I Promise School, is the "culmination of nearly a decade of work by James' foundation, with its focus on educating children from challenging situations or backgrounds," per ESPN.
LeBron took to Twitter earlier today to speak about it.
"The jitters before the first day of school are real right now!!! Tomorrow is going to be one of the greatest moments (if not the greatest) of my life when we open the #IPROMISE School. This skinny kid from Akron who missed 83 days of school in the 4th grade had big dreams for the kids in Akron to give them everything they could need to find their passion, give back to our community and change the world!! This school is that. The people are that. Akron is that. @LJFamFoundation we've always done it big and it doesn't get bigger than opening day tomorrow (until the next thing we dream of ) I'm so unbelievably proud and excited to see my kids, my home, and the 330 tomorrow. THANK YOU! Let's get it. Let’s go," he wrote.
ESPN has more details on the school, which will begin with second and third grades with plans to expand in the coming years.
The I Promise School has a longer school day and longer school year. More than 40 staff members will attempt to accelerate the development of children who qualify for the program based on performance and socioeconomic factors.
For those who complete the program, which has been operating for years, James has arranged for free tuition to the University of Akron starting in 2021. He has also created a program for parents of the at-risk children to return to complete their high school educations and has planned an institute to help prepare high-school-age students for college.
Well done, LeBron.
