Rare Footage Shows 12-Year-Old LeBron James' Spectacular Skills

The future NBA superstar's early talent is on full display in viral highlights.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Rare footage has emerged of a 12-year-old LeBron James showcasing his exceptional basketball skills at the 1997 YBOA Championship game. The video highlights James' impressive passing ability, court vision, and scoring prowess, even at a young age, providing a glimpse into the future Hall of Famer's prodigious talent.

Why it matters

These early highlights of LeBron James offer a unique perspective on the development of one of the greatest basketball players of all time. They demonstrate that James' elite skills and basketball IQ were evident from a very young age, foreshadowing his remarkable professional career and cementing his status as a generational talent.

The details

The footage shows a young LeBron James, who was already 6 feet tall at the time, dominating the competition with his passing, ball-handling, and scoring ability. Despite his unconventional shooting form, James was able to make shots from all over the court, showcasing the natural talent that would eventually make him a four-time NBA champion and one of the most iconic players in the league's history.

  • The highlights are from the 1997 YBOA Championship game, when LeBron James was just 12 years old.

The players

LeBron James

A 12-year-old basketball prodigy who would go on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history, winning four championships and numerous individual accolades.

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What they’re saying

“It's so cool that these highlights exist, because they're quite the look into the past to see what LeBron was like before the whole world knew his name.”

— Billy Heyen (Sporting News)

The takeaway

These early highlights of LeBron James serve as a remarkable testament to his prodigious talent and foreshadow the illustrious career that would follow. They provide a unique glimpse into the development of one of the greatest players in NBA history, inspiring awe and wonder at the sheer level of skill he possessed from a remarkably young age.