Growing up, LeBron James was known only as “a kid” from his hometown of Akron, Ohio. Dirk Nowitzki was actually just a scrawny kid in Germany when he was a kid. The term “bean junior” was used to describe Kobe Bryant before he transformed into the deadly Black Mamba. These legendary NBA players were all just dreamers before they made it big in the game. Once upon a time, there were these aspirants. Now, they are all famous athletes making millions of dollars. Some rare photos of these stars from a time when not even they could have predicted their careers’ trajectories have made it into Cavs Nation’s possession.

15. Chris Paul

Nicholas Christopher North Carolina, specifically Winston-Salem, was Paul’s hometown. He began his basketball career when he was five years old and went on to achieve remarkable success in high school. In the midst of Paul’s senior year, he lost his grandfather—his biggest supporter—to a murder. Paul’s grandpa, who died at the age of 61, was present in spirit in the gym, observing from a distance. A career-high 61 points were scored by Paul. He has since become an All-Star point guard with the Clippers.

14. LeBron James

There was LeBron Raymore. Akron, Ohio is where James was born, and he began his basketball career at the tender age of nine. James continued to play the sport he loved despite having to travel about a lot as a child. Despite his brief high school career, he was a standout player who earned a spot on Sports Illustrated’s cover that year. His career has been nothing short of spectacular ever since the 2003 draft, when he was chosen first overall. Thanks to his stellar play for the Cavaliers, LeBron James solidified his place as one of the greatest players in basketball history.

13. Dwyane Wade

Despite his Chicago, Illinois, birthplace, Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. did not enjoy a perfect upbringing. He plays basketball at the professional level. Basketball provided Wade with an escape from the tough times he was going through at home with his mother, despite their problems. His long-term efforts have finally paid off; he was an integral part of the Miami Heat’s three NBA championship teams.

12. Dirk Nowitzki

Würzburg, Germany was Dirk Nowitzki’s hometown. The Dallas Mavericks’ seven-foot forward was seen by a German international player, who helped shape him into what is often considered the greatest player in European history, due to his unusually tall stature as a child.

11. Blake Griffin

Oklahoma City is where Blake Austin Griffin came into this world. Griffin shifted his attention from baseball and football to basketball when he was in ninth grade. He was the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft and played college basketball with his brother Taylor at Oklahoma. The Los Angeles Clippers have made him their superstar power forward.

10. Klay Thompson

The city of Angels was Klay Alexander Thompson’s childhood home. He began his basketball career at an early age and even played in the same small league as Kevin Love, now a power forward for the Cavaliers. Before entering the NBA Draft, Thompson spent three years at Washington State University.

 

 

9. Brandon Jennings

Compton, California is the place of Brandon Byron Jennings’s birth. As a senior, he became famous for his 35 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds per game average. To think that he would play for the same team less than 20 years after wearing their jersey in the photo is hilarious.

8. Kobe Bryant

The city of Philadelphia was Kobe Bean Bryant’s childhood home. Starting at the tender age of three, he went on to play basketball professionally and even spent some time abroad. After starring for the Charlotte Hornets in high school, Bryant was moved to the Los Angeles Lakers after being chosen. Why didn’t they just hold on to him?

7. Paul George

Llewellyn Paul In Palmdale, California, Anthony George came into this world. George attended Fresno State for two years before deciding to go for it big in the NBA. He got his start playing organized basketball at Knight High School.

6. Stephen Curry

Wardell Although he spent his formative years in Charlotte, North Carolina, Stephen Curry II was born in Akron, Ohio. The Charlotte Hornets were Curry’s father, Dell. During pregame warmups, Steph and Seth would shoot around on the court with their dad’s squad. Currently, Stephen plays for the Warriors in the NBA, while Seth is a member of the Kings.

5. Kevin Durant

The nation’s capital was Kevin Durant’s childhood home. When he was a kid, his favorite player on the Toronto Raptors’ roster was Vince Carter. When Durant becomes a free agent in 2016, he may return to the D.C. region.

4. Russell Westbrook

A native of Long Beach, Russell Westbrook was born into this world. Although NCAA scouts took notice of Westbrook in the summer leading up to his senior year, he was already a huge basketball fan. Westbrook committed to UCLA following his senior year, when he averaged 25 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals per game. He then became a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder after being drafted by the Seattle Supersonics.

3. Dwight Howard

Dwight David Howard was born and raised in the Big Apple. In high school, he played point guard despite his abnormally long stature, and he began to take basketball seriously when he was nine years old. In 2004, Howard forwent his undergraduate education in favor of entering the draft, where he was selected first overall.

2. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony came into this world in the Bronx. When he was eight years old, his family uprooted and settled in Baltimore.  He had already declared his intention to attend Syracuse University by the conclusion of his junior year. Anthony has spent his entire professional basketball career in and around New York City, where he grew up, attended college, and currently plays for the Knicks.

1. Kyrie Irving

My lord Kyrie At the age of two, Andrew Irving’s family relocated from Australia to the United States, where he spent his childhood in West Orange, New Jersey. He followed in his father’s footsteps as a professional basketball player; after starting just eleven games for Duk, he was picked first overall in the 2011 NBA Draft.