Posted on: Saturday, April 26, 2003

Prep star James eligible for NBA draft

Associated Press

LeBron James declared himself eligible for the NBA draft yesterday, a move that clears the way for the nation's top high school player to become the likely No. 1 pick.

The 6-foot-8 forward made the anticipated announcement at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, which he led to three state championships in four years.

"When you see there's no way you can get any hotter ... You've got to take on an opportunity when it's in front of you and that's what made me make this decision," James said at a news conference in Akron, Ohio.

The Denver Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers have the best odds of winning the No. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery May 22. The draft is June 26.