NBA: LeBron visits President Barack Obama
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
The White House. A movie premiere in Maryland. A store opening in Harlem.
LeBron James is making the rounds this summer.
Fully recovered after undergoing surgery two weeks ago to have a benign growth on his jaw removed, the NBA’s MVP is keeping a busy schedule.
On Monday, Cleveland’s All-Star forward and a group of close friends visited President Barack Obama and were given a tour of the West Wing before attending the U.S. premiere of “More Than A Game,” a documentary about the basketball star and his friends’ rise to national champions while playing at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio.
James contributed to Obama’s campaign and first met the nation’s No. 1 hoops fan at a talk show taping last year.
On Tuesday, James and pop music star Rihanna celebrated the opening of the Carol’s Daughter Hand & Foot Spa in New York.
These were James’ first public appearances since his five-hour operation at the Cleveland Clinic on June 1.
“More Than A Game”, which chronicles how James and his tight circle of friends accomplished a childhood goal, kicked off the AFI SilverDocs Documentary Film Festival in Silver Spring, Md. Several of James’ teammates attended the premiere as well as former teachers, administrators, alumni from the school and the film’s director, Kris Belman.
After the screening, James gave an inspirational speech to the audience, reminding them that he was from a small town and has made it to the international stage. He asked a few in the crowd to reveal their dreams and talents and encouraged them to follow their hearts.
The 24-year-old won his first MVP this season after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to 66 regular-season wins. They lost in the Eastern Conference finals to the Orlando Magic.