Photo Credit: Greg Welch - Cavaliers Photo

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Monday, March 21— On Monday afternoon, Cleveland Cavalier LeBron James paid a visit to Portage Path Elementary in Akron, Ohio where he attended the 5th grade. The reason for his return visit was to read his new biography for children, NBA Reader: LeBron James, by John Hareas (Scholastic 2005). James was joined by NBA Hall-of-Famer, Bob Lanier for the school’s annual Scholastic Book Fair and special NBA Read to Achieve event.

James and Lanier spent time with students reading aloud from the newly released title from Scholastic that chronicles James’ achievements since he burst onto the NBA scene two years ago. Fifty students were selected to participate in the Reading Time Out because of their accelerated reading scores and academic excellence.

The reading was followed by a question and answer session and a discussion on the importance of literacy. James then took time to autograph copies of the book for the students. Before saying goodbye, he stood in place as his shoe prints were traced onto the gymnasium floor, later to be permanently painted to mark the spot of the former Portage Path student and future NBA great.

Bob Lanier is a leading member of the NBA’s All-Star Reading team, the league’s most active community ambassador and Scholastic author. Lanier routinely visits with students across the nation to deliver motivational and educational messages encouraging youth literacy. Lanier is an eight-time NBA All-Star and member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

NBA Read to Achieve is a league-wide, year round initiative designed to help young people develop a life-long love for reading and encourage adults to read and talk with children regularly. Reaching an estimated 50 million children a year, Read to Achieve is the most extensive educational outreach initiative in the history of professional sports.

Scholastic Book Fairs, in partnership with the schools across the country, hosts more than 110,000 annual book-sale events, reaching more than 30 million children in pres-school through the 9th grade. Scholastic Book Fairs provides students, teachers, and parents access to thousands of affordable books and educational products that help foster enthusiasm for reading and generate funds for school projects and classroom materials.

For more information or questions on this NBA Read to Achieve event, please contact Colleen Garrity with the Cleveland Cavaliers at 216.420.2227.