Still the standard: LeBron sets example for 2023 NBA Draft prospects

CHICAGO(AP) — Brandon Miller was a little more than three weeks from beingborn when LeBron James made his NBA debut for the ClevelandCavaliers in 2003.

Two decadeslater, James is still near the top of the league Miller is about toenter.

“Twentyyears is a lot of years. I’m 20, myself. I feel old,” Miller saidin jest.

Prospectswho gathered in Chicago this week for theNBAdraft combinestill see James as the gold standard, 20years after he made the jump from St. Mary-St. Vincent High Schoolin his hometown of Akron, Ohio.

They see aplayer who entered the league when they were in diapers — or noteven born -- still going strong at age 38. He has a chance to cap aseason in which he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’sscoring king by being crowned champion for the fifth time, with theLakers facing the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conferencefinals.

They seethe results of the work he puts in to keep himself in topcondition, the contributions he makes away from the court as wellas on it. And they take notes.

“I feellike as long as I’m taking care of my body — and that’s the biggestthing that LeBron has done,” Scoot Henderson said. “He made a namefor himself off the court as well. ... Everybody knows LeBronbecause of how dominant he is as a player. But as a person, he’spowerful. I see that a lot in myself. I think I can be on thatlevel of greatness.”

Widelyprojected along with Miller as a top-three pick behind VictorWembanyama, Henderson is well aware of the opportunities that awaithim.

He has formed a partnership with Stephen Currythat ishelping him build his own business brand and giving him access toshooting coaches and a training team. As role models go, the GoldenState Warriors star is obviously a good one.

Hendersonsaid he has tried to cut fried foods from his diet, eat more fruitand get plenty of rest, particularly as he goes through the draftprocess. He’s been active in the community, holding Thanksgivingfood drives, and plans to keep that up. Though he’s working withCurry, he’s also following a similar example set by James.

Miller,coming off the most productive season by an Alabama freshman,envisions himself playing in 20 years. That’s because he isdedicating himself to staying in top condition.

“I think Iwill still be in the league,” Miller said. “I think the biggestthing with LeBron, he takes care of his body. That’s the biggestthing with being in the NBA — the body. It plays a big part of thecareer you build in the league.”

Gonzagastar Drew Timme grew up near Dallas rooting for Dirk Nowitzki andthe Mavericks. But in his mind, James is “the GOAT.”

“That’s atestament to the amount he pours into his own body,” said Timme,whose earliest memories of him are with Miami. “To play for 20years in the league is crazy. Not many people get to say they’vedone that. I’m sure he adds so much into himself in terms of theproper nutrition, strength and conditioning.”

But toTimme, James’ example extends beyond that.

“He’s agood family man,” he said. “He makes sure his family is good. Ifeel like I’m pretty family-oriented as well. My family’s prettystrong like his.”

UConn starAdama Sanogo said the NBA hopefuls all can “definitely learn from”James when it comes to conditioning and nutrition. But they canalso follow his example in the community.

Sanogowants to open a school in his hometown of Bamako, Mali, just asJames did for at-risk children in Akron. He said many of hisfriends growing up didn’t have a chance to get an education.

“To go toschool in Africa, you have to pay for it,” he said. “Some of myfriends had to work to help their family. They were like 10, 11,12. They had to work to help their family. They played no sports.They couldn’t play basketball, they couldn’t play soccer, becausethey had a job to do.”