“Lucky That He’s Not Getting a Rolls Royce”: Coach Prime Was Unimpressed With LeBron James’ $106K High School Purchase

When LeBron James unveiled his LeBron 21 sneakers it was a moment of pride for Deion Sanders. The sneakers paid homage to Sanders while also celebrating James’ 21 seasons in the NBA. Later James would also gift Coach Prime the LeBron 21 sneakers as well. Yet, the story of their friendship is far more captivating than these exchanges as Sanders recently reminisced about the first time he met the NBA legend.

In a appearance on the Full Send podcast Deion Sanders talked about his relationship with LeBron James. James was only in high school, living a flashy life. On the other hand, Deion Sanders was working as a CBS reporter who had to travel to Akron, Ohio, to visit James at the St. Vincent St. Mary High School.

Looking back at a particular incident about his first time coming across James, Sanders said, “I interviewed LeBron, I was working with CBS I interviewed LeBron because he was popping he was in high school. Everybody was like ‘Hey man, this guy brought a Hummer’. I’m like a Hummer? You guys are tripping about a Hummer? I said this kid’s mom could go to any bank and get a credit line of a million dollars. You better be lucky that’s he’s not getting a Rolls Royce.” 

“So that’s how we started I went to his high school interviewed him when he was a high schooler and I was always down for him,” he added.

James has often said that Coach Prime was an early influence in his life and was a part of some of his early sport-related memories. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, King James said he was in awe of Deion Sanders. “

James also claimed how Sanders’ mindset had a major impact when he was growing up and something he carries to this day. “Prime Time is the one who taught me: “Look good, feel good. Feel good, play good. Play good, they pay good.” I still lay my uniform out on the floor and take a look at it before I put it on. I got that from Deion, added James. So it was no surprise when the Lakers star wore a pair of Nike sneakers modelled on the legacy of the former Super Bowl winner in his 20th All-Star game.

The LeBron 21 are modelled on the Nike Air DT Max ’96, a shoe that Sanders wore in his playing day. After coming across this, Sanders made a post on Instagram and congratulated James while making a special demand.

“Congratulations to my brother @kingjames for his Class, Grace, Passion, Commitment to Excellence & Consistency for 21 Years!!!. Thank you as well for Rocking them ‘PRIMES’ on your stage. Love you, man, from Day 1. I need that basketball version,” Sanders wrote on Instagram. James duly obliged and sent Sanders a pair of the shoes from the All-Star game. The shoes were delivered by Michael Smith, CU’s assistant athletic director for sports equipment services.

Sanders has been trying to get the Nike Air Max DT which debuted in 1996 back on the shelves and James’ endorsement during the All Star game gave it massive publicity. Both Sanders and James have been respectful and supportive of each other throughout the years.

There shared journey from humble beginnings might be the foundation of the lifelong friendship between Deion Sanders and LeBron James. A friendship is so strong that James willingly fulfills every wish his sons make.

LeBron James sends Shedeur Sanders a pamper package

Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter resembled two little boys waiting to open Christmas presents on Christmas morning when they attended LeBron James’s game back in 2023. While they were enjoying James scoring baskets, Hunter and Shedeur had one request to make to James at the end of his game: to send them a signed jersey by him. James didn’t take a beat to promise them.

Weeks later, Shedeur Sanders received a personalized package from James, a signed Lakers jersey, along with some James 21 basketball shoes. Shedeur couldn’t stop showing it off to the whole campus at CU. What do you think about LeBron James and Deion Sanders’s friendship? Drop your thoughts in the comments.