Schools target LeBron's kid

As a teenage basketball sensation, LeBron James went through the craziness of being recruited by universities. Now, he's living it as a dad.

And he's not enjoying it.

James said there are already colleges pursuing his 10-year-old son, LeBron Jr, and the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar believes there should be rules against schools tracking young children.

This week, James told a Detroit radio station his namesake has received scholarship offers from some unnamed schools.

"It's pretty crazy," James said. "It should be a violation. You shouldn't be recruiting 10-year-old kids."

While it may be understandable schools would keep an eye on James' kids for the future, it's hard to imagine any school already asking the kid to commit to coming to their campus.

James did not specify which schools contacted his youngster, and it's not completely clear if the programs made offers or simply contacted the younger James about gauging his interest.

Either way, James senior, who endured the recruiting frenzy at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School as the most sought-after high school player in the country, intends to let his son enjoy his childhood.

"My son's going to be a kid as long as he can be," James said before scoring a season-high 42 points to lead the Cavaliers to a 110-99 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night for their 18th victory in 20 games.

"He loves to play the game of basketball, he loves to play video games, he loves to do his homework, that's all that matters. Everything else doesn't matter. He loves his brother and sister, his dad, his mom, his grandmas. Let him just be a kid."

Along those lines, James, who was raised by a single mother, said he's not ready to share all the stories from his childhood with his boys, LeBron Jr and Bryce.

"My youngest son isn't quite there," James told Associated Press during an interview in New York over All-Star weekend.

"My oldest isn't there. When he's about 12, that will be a good time to let him know and take him where I grew up, and let him see the streets that I walked, before dad had a car.

"In those days, my dad was riding a bike from his apartment complex to school, and things like that.

"I'm looking forward to that time ... and I'm not going to rush it.

"I want my kids to stay young. No responsibilities. You get up, you eat, you do whatever you need to do. You do a little homework and you can play video games.

"Once my son gets in the teens, then it will be time."

LeBron James drives past Golden State Warriors' David Lee during the second quarter of Thursday's NBA clash in Cleveland. James scored a season-high 42 points and added 11 rebounds to lead the Cavs to a 110-99 win - their 18th victory in 20 games. Tony Dejak / AP

(China Daily 02/28/2015 page9)