 | Lebron will wear number 23 |
Top NBA draft pick LeBron James officially signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. The high school phenomenon, who skipped college to join the top professional league in the world, stands to earn a maximum of US$12.96m (�9m) from the Cavs.
But that figure pales into insignificance alongside the $90m shoe contract he has cut with Nike.
Cleveland hold the option for James to stay for a fourth season for an additional $5.8m.
"LeBron brings an exciting new dimension to the Cavaliers and we couldn't be happier to make it official by finalizing his contract," said Cavaliers general manager Jim Paxson.
"We can now get down to work on the court starting with our summer leagues in Orlando and Boston."
James is likely to make his first summer league debut in Orlando on Tuesday.
And he is expected to make an immediate impact when the NBA season starts later in the year.
James led St. Vincent-St Mary High School to three Ohio state titles and was the national high school player of the year.
He cites Michael Jordan as his basketball idol, and like Jordan and new Real Madrid football signing David Beckham, wears the number 23 on his jersey.
MMIX
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