“He could’ve went pro then!” 15-year-old LeBron James put Michael Jordan and rest of NBA on alert

LeBron James was already a basketball sensation at 15-years-old and was heavily touted to forego college and head straight to the NBA.

“He could’ve went pro then!” 15-year-old LeBron James put Michael Jordan and rest of NBA on alert

Former player Metta Sandiford-Artest revealed 15-year-old LeBron James put Michael Jordan and the rest of the NBA on notice

LeBron James was a phenom coming out of high school. A player who transitioned to the NBA and was immediately a superstar. He could only gain entry to the NBA through the 2003 Draft as the league would not allow anyone younger or with less experience.

However, former player Metta Sandiford-Artest recalls James putting Michael Jordan and the rest of the league on notice, when he was 15 years old. The former champion was a guest on Podcast P with Paul George recently and was asked about his first experience meeting LeBron James. 

Everybody knew who he was. He was already famous. I'm like 'Alright cool, I wanna see what he got'. He was cooking. Like he was 15 or 16, posting, getting to the basket. And I'm like, 'this is gonna be a huge issue'. And for sure it was. 3 more years he right there. When I saw that, it motivated me. I'm like 'I gotta go to work'. He coming in the league cooking. I was not like that at 15. I was 20.
Metta Sandiford-Artest recalled

Metta Sandiford-Artest knew right then that the young 15-year-old would become a problem in the NBA. Later his prophecy came true. The situation World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest and Metta World Peace, was referring to, was a casual pick-up game. A scrimmage in which the great Michael Jordan was also playing. Jordan knew at that moment what Sandiford-Artest was referring to.

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At that young age, James was posting up and driving to the rim against grown men. Reinforcing the notion that he would be a problem in the NBA. Also forcing, a new to the league Sandiford-Artest, to get better.

LeBron James was NBA-ready at 15-years-old

While continuing his conversation about LeBron James, Metta Sandiford-Artest revealed how he viewed the then 15-year-old in terms of a player.

He could run pro right then honestly.
Metta Sandiford-Artest said

To this, a shocked Paul George asked, “Really?”

100%
Metta Sandiford-Artest replied

Sandiford-Artest alluded that it was evident in the way LeBron James played. As a 15-year-old he had the moves many players develop over the years.

Many younger players may be dominating at the high school or college levels. But when they come into the NBA, they struggle and take time to build themselves up. For the now-all-time leading scorer, it was a walk in the park. Becoming an All-Star in only his 2nd season and has not stopped to date.

At 15-years-old he was already good enough for Metta Sandiford-Artest to consider him NBA ready. It goes to show that LeBron James is one of a kind.

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