WASHINGTON — Reactions have been pouring in from across the globe ever since Akron's own LeBron James became the NBA's all-time leading scorer Tuesday night.
Of those reactions, the most notable might've come from our nation's capital, specifically from the leader of the free world himself.
In a video posted to Twitter Wednesday afternoon, President Joe Biden took time to congratulate James on breaking "a hallowed record" in sports lore. Biden also commended the basketball legend for "elevat[ing] the game" and being active in the community like those who blazed the trail of success.
"Like Kareem and Bill Russell and others who came before you, you challenged and inspired a nation to be better, do better, and live up to our full promise," the president said. "So, keep it going, man. Keep the faith, and congratulations to you and your wonderful family."
James, a four-time NBA champion who spent the majority of his 20-year career with the Cavaliers, has long been known for his activism. Here in Northeast Ohio, his foundation has helped thousands of disadvantaged children, and that mission culminated in the opening of the I Promise School on West Market Street five years ago.
In the realm of politics and civil rights, James has been vocal about the subjects of police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement, and was a fierce critic of Biden's predecessor Donald Trump. He endorsed Biden's eventually successful 2020 election campaign, and also founded a nonprofit aimed at protecting voting rights for African Americans.
With 38 points in Tuesday's Los Angeles Lakers loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's previous mark of 38,887 that had stood for 39 years. Abdul-Jabbar, who was in the arena to witness LeBron break his record and shared a moment with him on the court, paid his own tribute to "The King" in an essay published the following morning.
"LeBron makes me love the game again," Kareem, whose own off-the-court legacy Biden alluded to, wrote on Substack. "And he makes me proud to be part of an ever-widening group of athletes who actively care about their community."