AKRON, Ohio – The city has declared Feb. 8 LeBron James Day in Akron, to honor the basketball star’s exceptional achievement — breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record of 38,387 points, held for nearly four decades.

James, who plays for the L.A. Lakers, beat Jabbar’s record on Tuesday in the third quarter of a match-up with the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Lakers’ home court, the Crypto.com Arena.

What You Need To Know

  • The city has declared Feb. 8 LeBron James Day in Akron

  • The recognition is to honor James’ achievement in breaking Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s scoring record of 38,387 points

  • Mayor Dan Horrigan also pointed to the LeBron James Family Foundation’s investment in the community

  • The I Promise Program provides the city’s most at-risk kids, and their families, with comprehensive support

In a statement, Mayor Dan Horrigan said it was “a thrill” to see James become the NBA’s all-time lead scorer, calling it “a record that may never be broken again.”

“On the court, LeBron James has demonstrated elite athletic ability, determination and grit over the course of his career,” Horrigan said. “Despite all the on-court and worldwide accolades, LeBron never forgot his humble roots right here in Akron.”

Horrigan pointed to the LeBron James Family Foundation’s investment of resources, time and passion through the I Promise Program.

The I Promise Program provides the city’s most at-risk kids, and their families, the wraparound support they need. (Photo courtesy of the LeBron James Family Foundation)

With its “We are family” ideology, the I Promise Program provides more than 1,400 of the city’s most at-risk kids, and their families, with comprehensive resources and the wraparound support they need to stay in school, graduate and, in many cases, go on to college.

The program encompasses includes the I Promise School, for kids in third through 12th grade, the I Promise Village, which offers transitional housing for I Promise families dealing with homelessness and House Three Thirty, a multi-resource facility for I Promise participants and the community.  

“His actions on and off the court are the prime example of leadership — 38,390 points in and I cannot wait to see what he does next,” Horrigan said. “On behalf of myself and the entire city of Akron, congratulations LeBron James!”

Also, to honor James, the city is showing a commemorative video of James’ achievements on the Akron Civic Theatre’s external video screen facing Lock 3 Park. The theater and park sit along King James Way in downtown.

A look at James’ impressive career should be an inspiration and reminder that “a kid from Akron can achieve anything with hard work, determination and perseverance,” the city said.

The Congratulations LeBron James! video can be viewed online, on the city’s YouTube page.

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