LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the key contenders in a conversation concerning the greatest basketball players of all time.
The NBA superstar is an icon worldwide and is known for several signature moves and looks.
While it is undoubtedly his Tomahawk Dunk which is synonymous with the Los Angeles Lakers superstar as a part of his arsenal as a player, one of the most signature looks associated with James is his iconic beard.
But it has to be kept in mind that James did not have his iconic beard long ago–which is why this post serves as a throwback to the time when his iconic beard was not associated with him yet. James made his debut in the NBA after being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, as a fresh-faced 18-year-old.
It was during his Cavaliers days that the NBA got acquainted with a clean-shaven “King James” before he became the King. It was in his first spell with the Cavaliers that LeBron made his name in the NBA, and it was a LeBron without the iconic beard that is so associated with him now.
LeBron James’ career in the NBA is one of the most celebrated careers of all time.
Four Championship Rings, four MVPs, 4 Finals’ MVPs, an NBA All-Star for 18 times – the list goes on and on, but there was a time before the King became the King.
James went to college at St Vincent’s–St Mary’s, Ohio, in his native town of Akron. A talented 18-year-old, he was a fresh-faced talent who was picked by Cleveland Cavaliers as their first pick of the first round in the 2003 NBA Draft.
Though there were glimpses of incredible talent in his game already, the beard that he would grow to be so associated with was not there just yet.
A clean-shaven LeBron (picture above) made his first impression in the NBA–the baby steps of a career that would see him named in all-time conversations by the end.
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