INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Whenever it is that LeBron James' NBA career comes to an end, it seems like a matter of not if, but when the Cleveland Cavaliers megastar will be immortalized with a statue outside of Quicken Loans Arena.
It appears James' hometown, however, might beat Cleveland to the punch.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, a St. Vincent-St. Mary alum named Aaron Carey has begun a movement to erect a statue of James in the Rubber City. A GoFundMe page created by Carey titled "Bring LeBron James a Statue" is seeking to raise $1 million for the project, which has already tapped sculptor Omri Amrany, to design the statue should it come to fruition.
Asked about the project on Monday, the 4-time MVP said it was an honor for it to even be considered.
"First of all, thank you," James said of Carey's fundraising effort when asked about it at Cavs shootaround on Monday, hours before facing the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. "It would be cool, not only for myself, but for my family and all the people that had anything to do with this journey thus far. I'm appreciative of even the thought.”
Asked if there was a particular pose he'd choose for the potential statue, James let out a laugh before admitting there wasn't one that immediately came to mind. Should the project be greenlit, he'll receive a sculpture fit for a king, as Amrany has built some of basketball's most iconic statues, including enshrinements of Michael Jordan Statue, Shaquille O’Neal, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
But if he's going to add James to that list, it's likely going to take some more funding first. As of Monday morning, Carey's campaign had raised just $165 over the course of the previous 13 days -- $999,835 short of its $1 million goal.
"Like I said, I think it’s the thought that counts," James said. "It’s pretty cool.”
