LeBron James is known for quite a few things: He's obviously one of the most talented basketball players of all time. He's a great dad, a committed husband, and focused on creating a larger legacy outside of the game that made him a household name.
He's also incredibly enthusiastic about … nearly everything. Whether he likes something or hates it, he brings a lot of energy to the table when he's in the thick of it.
A clip from 2013 that recently resurfaced really drives this home. In the footage, LeBron is seen leaping onto a fan who just sank a half-court shot as part of a halftime contest. It's pretty fun to watch, especially since LeBron jumps on the guy with all the energy he can muster.
The fan in the video is computer technician Michael Drysch. Michael ended up winning $75,000 after he made the shot, and LeBron told ESPN he thought it wasn't possible:
"That was awesome, man. I was excited for him. When he wound up like that, I was like, 'Oh no, there's no way.'"
Then he realized the fan actually could make it.
"And then when I saw it in the air, I was like, 'Oh, that's got a chance,'" LeBron explained. "I was happy to be a part of that."
The prize money was actually awarded by the LeBron James Family Foundation, and the same organization flew Michael out after he won a drawing in Illinois. Michael was stunned, but thrilled, by LeBron's over-the-top reaction.
He said, "It's a great way to meet somebody like that. I had no idea he was coming over to me like that. That was amazing. What a great feeling to experience something like this."
Michael was also pretty surprised he made the shot. He told ESPN that he practiced for two days before the game and only made it once. A friend gave him tips as he made his way to the court:
"They told me to put some spin on the ball, and get it up there as high as I could. I had made that shot something like 1 percent of the time in my life."
These days, LeBron is still showing that same level of enthusiasm for his various off-court projects and organizations. As the founder of the I Promise School in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, he's dedicated to social organization and community engagement.
A recent piece in SB Nation really explains what makes LeBron's many efforts so courageous and powerful:
"He is a global icon as a businessman, and as a champion of social progress. His craft is basketball and he's the best in the world at that craft, but he doesn't really need to focus on that anymore."
The writer continues, "LeBron is a hero and symbol and, truly, a demigod to so many who love him for so many different reasons. He has the attention of the public education wonks and the hypebeasts and The Resistance and the barbershop and the toddlers and the C-suite and every basketball fan on the planet."
