AKRON, Ohio — LeBron James took a break from his whirlwind courtship to get back on the basketball court.
The NBA’s most wanted man made a surprise appearance Monday at his Nike Skills Academy to work out as the sports world awaits his decision on where he’ll play next season. James was not expected to attend the camp featuring some of the nation’s top college and high school players until Tuesday.
Wearing a New York Yankees cap and white T-shirt, James strolled into Rhodes Arena just before 3 p.m. He was accompanied by former Cavaliers teammate Damon Jones and others. James asked for the main locker room to be opened so he could dress.
After stretching out with a trainer, James shot jumpers as New Orleans star guard Chris Paul, his closest friend in the league, looked on. Paul was dressed in street clothes and did not join James on the floor of the arena, where the two-time MVP played many of his high school games for St. Vincent-St. Mary.
Moments later, Cleveland teammate Jawad Williams and high school buddy Romeo Travis showed up and took part in shooting and driving drills with James, who was dressed in a black, body-hugging top, black shorts and his signature Nikes.
As James fine tuned his game, camera crews filmed his every move from the other side of Rhodes, hoping to catch some sign that he has come to a decision.
James is not expected to say which team he’ll choose until the camp ends Wednesday. Last week, James heard presentations from the Cavs, Nets, Knicks, Heat, Clippers and Bulls.