Former NBA player Lanny Smith tells childhood story of how LeBron James already showed superstar talent when they faced during AAU Nationals.

LeBron James is one of the greatest ever players that the game of basketball has seen. His unprecedented longevity and plethora of ball skills have seen the Lakers superstar frequently drawn into GOAT debates. Many fans believe that his achievements make him a worthy candidate.

This is a sentiment that former NBA player Lanny Smith also shares. He appeared in a recent episode of “Ur.Perspectives” podcast, where he was interviewed. During the interview, Smith talked about the Paris Olympics, his basketball career and business. The 39-year-old then recalled when his team played against a young LeBron James in high school. He said:

My first time playing against LeBron was in the 7th grade at AAU Nationals… Funny story, we checking into the hotel for AAU Nationals. LeBron and his team is standing outside the hotel and Bron had grown 5 or 6 inches. Big Perk is like, ‘Yo, is that the same n***a?’ and I was like, ‘Yo, that’s the same dude’. And we knew then, it was a wrap.

Lanny Smith said

According to him, James was a relatively unknown star then in high school. But his quality was already clear to them when they competed together at the Amateur Athletic Union Basketball Nationals. Smith also revealed that it’s always been amusing to him that fans had wanted James to play like Kobe Bryant or Jordan.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the Los Angeles Lakers superstar is actually in a league of his own. The way Lanny Smith sees it, his experience playing against the four-time NBA champion was an eye-opener. Smith was a 2009 NBA draftee by the Sacramento Kings. However, just 33 days after signing his contract, a knee injury effectively ended his basketball career. He has since moved to business, founding a sports apparel company.