LeBron James and his team-mates arrived at the White House looking dapper as they attended a ceremony to celebrate last year’s NBA Finals win.
The Miami Heat became champions by beating Oklahoma City Thunder in the championship series, winning four to Thunder’s one.
Crowd favourite James, who took the Most Valuable Player honours after the Finals, towered over Obama during the celebration ceremony.
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Honour: James earned himself the title of Most Valuable Player after the series
A few of the players, including James, had already met the President, having played a game of basketball with him on his 49th birthday in 2010.
Obama, a fan of the Chicago Bulls, joked about the occasion, saying: ‘Now I’m not trying to take all the credit coach, but I think that it’s clear that going up against me prepared them to take on Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
‘It sharpened their skills. It gave them the competitive edge that they needed. And I think part of the reason they came back today is they want another shot at the old guy.’
Humbled: The basketball star seemed slightly nervous at the event
But Obama was more serious when offering his congratulations to the squad.
‘This team travelled a long road to get to where they are,’ he said, in reference to the fact that they reached the NBA Finals in 2011 but lost out to the Dallas Mavericks.
‘When you fall, the real test is whether you can ignore the naysayers, pick yourself up and comeback stronger,’ added the President. ‘And that’s true in basketball, but its also true in life.’
He also praised team members for their commitment to fatherhood off the court and said that they were fantastic role models for young boys in America.
‘We in the White House’: James was delighted to have the opportunity to visit the President in Washington DC
Despite the fact James has spent time with Obama before, he still seemed slightly starstruck by the occasion.
‘Am I supposed to say something?’ He mumbled as he stepped up to present the President with a basketball signed by the team.
‘We in the White House right now,’ said James. ‘This is like, Mama I made it!’
