LeBron James has set an incredibly high standard for athletes around the world due to his consistent greatness in basketball over the years. As a result, basketball fans are increasingly interested in understanding the 39-year-old’s formula for success. Recently, James’ former high school coach, Keith Dambrot, provided insightful perspective on this during an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
Dambrot worked closely with James for four years as the head coach at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. He observed James’ development as a teen firsthand and helped shape his journey. On the radio show, Dambrot highlighted that the key to James’ exceptional NBA success is his freakish mental and physical talents. Dambrot said James can play as long as he wants because of his tremendous love for basketball. He tells his current players that you can’t sustain James’ longevity and performance without a true passion for the game.
“You can’t play as long and as hard and as good as LeBron has unless you just love it”
🏀 @DuqMBB Head Coach and LeBron’s high school coach, Keith Dambrot, is amazed by his longevity
Hear the Pacers-Lakers game right now on NBA Radio 📻 https://t.co/iiUuqRLHYL#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/bQ4MSbwrFZ
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) March 25, 2024
Therefore, James’ consistency and love for basketball enabled his longevity and prosperity. Dambrot’s comments suggested James even surpassed his high school coach’s lofty expectations. Dambrot deservedly paid tribute to his former star student, having learned many lessons from James over the years.
The 20-time All-Star remains a model of excelling at the little things in an exceptional way. James has always prioritized taking care of his physical health. In 2022, he emphasized the importance of sleep for his self-care during an appearance for his foundation. James said he needs at least eight hours of sleep to re-energize his body, mind and spirit. For him, adequate sleep is crucial for performing at a high level daily.