LeBronzed? James honoured by drive to build statue of him

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP):

LeBron James may go from idolised to immortalised in his hometown.

A GoFundMe account has been established with a goal to raise US$1 million (around J$125 million) to sculpt and erect a life-size statue of James in Akron, where he began his basketball career before becoming a superstar with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Aaron Carey, who like James played at Akron St Vincent-St Mary High School, began the campaign to raise money to honour the three-time NBA champion.

"We want to do this with the fans," Carey told the Akron Beacon-Journal . "We want fans to be able to thank LeBron for what he has done for Akron and the Cavs."

Carey told the newspaper he has been in contact with artist Omri Amrany, who has created statues for basketball greats Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

James was touched by the gesture.

"First of all, thank you," he said Monday when informed of the movement. "It would be cool, not only for myself, but for my family and all the people that had anything to do with this journey thus far. I'm appreciative even of the thought."

An initial rendering of a possible statue by Amrany shows James soaring toward the basket, with his right arm cocked back to deliver a dunk while wearing his signature Nikes and his No. 23 high school jersey.

Carey said a site for the statue has not been finalised.