LeBron James is 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 lefty but plays basketball as a right-hander

LeBron James is primarily a right-handed basketball player. During his prime LeBron James was tough to defend because he could score with both his right and left hands. The reason behind his ambidexterity? LeBron is left-handed and it’s just that he’s a right-handed basketball player.

In 2017, James was asked about being a right-handed basketball player, and he said he had no clue. He mentions that the influence of two NBA legends might have affected his basketball-dominant hand

“I have no idea how I became a right-handed basketball player,” he said. “I think maybe it was because of Michael Jordan, Penny Hardaway, guys that I looked up to growing up. Seeing those guys shoot righty, I guess I’ll shoot righty. I’m pretty much a left-hand guy. I don’t take many of those shots, but I’m capable of making those shots. I work on my craft. I work on both hands.”

LeBron is a Southpaw

LeBron James grew up as a Southpaw. He does everything, except playing basketball, left-handed. Last season, we saw him autograph a little girl’s “I Promise” book using his natural hand.

On the basketball court, however, he shoots with his right hand. Because of his ambidexterity, he became one of the game’s most dominant scorers. Also, because finishing around the rim was simple for him, he could be a freight train in the lane, and the defense had to select which side they wanted him to score on.

This ability continued growing throughout his career, and he scored many memorable points with his left hand.

He grew up idolizing Michael Jordan and Penny Hardaway

It’s not surprising that LeBron idolized Michael Jordan as a kid because, who didn’t? He often has said in the past that he wears no. 23 because of Jordan and spoke vividly about their first meeting. When James broke Kareem’s scoring record earlier this season, he talked about MJ again.

“First of all, I wear the number because of Mike. I think I fell in love with the game because of Mike, just seeing what he was able to accomplish. But I feel like Mike was, so when you growing up and you’re seeing Michael Jordan, he’s almost like a god. So I didn’t ever believe I could be Mike.”

As for Penny Hardaway, LeBron once posted on social media that Penny was his No. 2 favorite player growing up. Back when he was in high school, Craig Sager also caught up with LBJ and asked him about his favorite player, and LeBron also said it’s Penny:

LeBron’s versatility allowed him to switch between hands with ease, making him one of the most dominant players in NBA history.