8 LeBron James Quotes to Help You Find the King Within The NBA star's words of wisdom on motivation, mindset and the path to success.

By Emily Conklin

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Jason Miller | Getty Images

LeBron James, the most dominant player in his sport, is a living NBA legend with unsurpassable work ethic, passion and loyalty. He has played in front of thousands at his high school games, won three NBA championships and four NBA MVP awards, and has had uncountable successes in between.

Related: 8 Great Entrepreneurial Success Stories

Despite being a superstar, the Akron, Ohio native never lost touch with his roots. Always on the move, his single mother -- 16 when he was born -- often had him stay with basketball coaches and teammates when rent and groceries couldn't be paid.

LeBron's innate athleticism was recognizable early on, and his passion for sports kept him out of trouble. Starting in ninth grade, scouts from the Cleveland-based IMG athlete agency were watching. His high school basketball games were available on pay-per-view throughout the state, and attracted such large crowds that the local fire department said they were a fire hazard. (The school relocated the matchups to nearby University of Akron's 6,000 seat stadium.)

LeBron continued to surpass expectations, and never lost his drive to win. The star player is all about teamwork and selfless play, and using his position as both an athlete and a public figure to inspire his fans and fellow citizens to do better, stand up for what they believe in and work harder.

Check out these quotes from the King himself to find and fuel your passion, too.

On mindset

"I treated it like every day was my last day with a basketball."

--LeBron James

On authenticity

If it's in you, and if it's authentic, then do it. If it's some fake shit, then the people, the kids, they're going to notice it. They know."

--LeBron James

On commitment

"There's that moment every morning when you look in the mirror: Are you committed, or are you not?"

--LeBron James

Related: Commitment to Innovation is How Legacy Companies Stay Agile

On responsibility

"It's my responsibility. I believe that I was put here for a higher cause. We have people that have been in the higher positions that chose to do it and chose not to do it."

--LeBron James

On teamwork

"I think team first. It allows me to succeed, it allows my team to succeed."

--LeBron James

On honesty

"So when you've been around people for a long time, there's no sugarcoating… it's just straight-up, raw, uncut, unfiltered knowledge, truth, passion."

--LeBron James

Related: Intellectual Honesty Is What Defines Great Companies

On identity

"I don't know how tall I am or how much I weigh," he says. "Because I don't want anybody to know my identity."

--LeBron James

On inspiration

"If you're speaking with a knowledgeable, caring, loving, passionate voice, then you can give the people of America and all over the world hope."

--LeBron James

Emily Conklin

Reporting Intern

Emily Conklin is a reporting intern at Entrepreneur.com. She is currently a sophomore at New York University pursuing a double major in journalism and urban design & architecture studies. 

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