.@KingJames reflects on what he learned from his high school basketball coach. Watch Episode 3 with LeBron and @jj_redick: youtu.be/CvrQI0bwm10
LeBron James speaks about his tough-talking high school coach, Keith Dambrot
NBAThursday, 04 April 2024 at 04:00
Today, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is one of the biggest sports stars in the world and a household name, even for people who don't watch the NBA. But there was a time when he was just a high school kid with a lot of promise and a coach who really believed in him.
On the latest episode of "Mind The Game," James spoke at length about his former high school coach, Keith Dambrot. Dambrot recently led the Duqesne men's team to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in years but back in the day, he led St. Vincent-St. Marry High School, where the young James attended.
“The one thing that I learned from Coach D is that, ‘We are going to practice perfection every single day. Every single day.’ He always used to tell us, ‘The practices are going to be way freaking harder than the games," James said.
Beyond practicing hard, Dambrot also made it a point to humble James. At that point, the future Hall of Famer was already being talked about as a generational talent who could change the NBA forever. But Dambrot didn't want to let that go to James' head and made sure to take him down a few notches.
“And I think he was just setting the tone for the season. ‘Wherever the f--- or wherever you think you are, I have heard of all this stuff of how great you are. ... Nope, I am gonna humble your ass right now.’ He kicked me out of practice and the last thing he said, ‘Best sophomore in the country, my ass,'" James said.
James loved his time under Dambrot and still holds him in high regard. In fact, before the NCAA Tournament began, James was praising his former coach and wishing him the best.
Dambrot gave James some tough love during his high school days but that obviously had a positive effect on the player. Today, he looks back fondly on his time playing in high school, the place where it all started.
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