Watch: 18-Year-Old LeBron Riding Around Akron In A Hummer And Blasting Jay-Z

LeBron James was really big at 18. He had already made a name for himself. Everyone knew him. He was the young king of basketball. LeBron and his numbers impressed every talking head in the basketball world. He was so determined to become the GOAT that even superstars could learn from him. Young LeBron made so many important decisions. Do you now that he was driving his Hummer at 18?

LeBron had to make a really big decision at that point. As he recounts in an episode of “Kneading Dough” with Maverick Carter, he was supposed to take a meeting with Paul Fireman, the former chairman and CEO of Reebok. Fireman offered the high school senior $10 million right there. He had just one condition: he didn’t want LeBron to mess with Nike or Adidas.

“First of all, it was one of the longest d— boardroom tables I’ve ever seen in my life,” he said. “I had no idea what he was doing at the other end of the table. I just see him writing … He had his head down, he was making sure he didn’t get anything wrong on that check, and when he slid it down there, he said: ‘Listen … you just promise me you won’t go talk to Nike or Adidas and you can take this right now.’

“I was lost for words at the beginning. I flew in from Akron, Ohio, from Spring Hill, from the projects. Our rent is like $17 a month and now I’m looking at a $10 million check.”

LeBron earned more than a Hummer

He didn’t accept the money. He knew that offers would keep coming. If someone was willing to give him $10 million, others would give even more. LeBron knew that Nike or Adidas would give him more than that.

He took the advice of one of his uncles. His uncle taught him to never put all eggs in one basket. He advised LeBron to give others a chance to say what they got and pitch themselves. LeBron did that and yes, he earned a thick contract with Nike. It’s a lifelong contract, and LeBron is doing a really good job with the company. He keeps the good shoes coming your way.