Grant Wahl, Who Introduced LeBron James as the ‘Chosen One’, Set to Be Posthumously Honored at the US Soccer Hall of Fame Ceremony

Published 02/08/2023, 9:30 AM EST

Make a note of the date. 8/2/2023. It’s the day when LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time NBA scoring record. While most people predicted this feat after he completed his first season, late journalist Grant Wahl became the Nostradamus for James’ transition to the league. Prominently a soccer specialist, he introduced the Akron Hammer to the world. After James earned recognition, this year’s Colin Jose Media Award goes to Wahl for his valuable contributions.

Thinking of Grant Wahl and his work outside of soccer in this incredible moment for Lebron, "The Chosen One".
Grant Wahl will be presented with the Colin Jose Media Award at our 2023 Induction Ceremony. #LeBronJames | @SInow | @GrantWahl pic.twitter.com/iD54tvxh8g
— National Soccer HOF (@soccerhof) February 8, 2023

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The award identifies journalists who made stellar contributions to soccer for the USA. However, he came into the limelight for something outside of soccer. The piece on a young LeBron James mentioned, ‘The Chosen One,’ paved the way for a glittering career for the Los Angeles Lakers small forward.

A soccer analyst who first put LeBron James on the map

Ever since Michael Jordan retired from the game of basketball, fans craved to witness the apparent heir to his throne. In comes a 6’7″, athletic small forward from St. Vincent-St. Mary High in Akron, who averaged 29.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. The title read, ‘The Chosen One.’ Grant Wahl called it in 2002!

During his Sports Illustrated career days, he focused on college basketball and soccer in the United States of America. However, things turned gloomy when he collapsed during the quarterfinal match between Argentina and Netherlands during the Qatar FIFA World Cup and he passed away. As a tribute to Wahl, every seat in the press box will be reserved when the USWNT or the USMNT plays until the 2026 World Cup.

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With a unique eye for spotting rare talent, Wahl knew the NBA would be home to King James’ antics for the last 20 years. The rest, as they say, is history.

Undisputed, Unparalleled, Immortal- King James

The article received rave reviews, and Cleveland Cavaliers never doubted once. As it stands, LeBron is home to a plethora of NBA records and accolades. He is a four-time NBA champion, four-time MVP, now the all-time scoring leader of the NBA, 38, and plays to the highest level to date. There is no end to the limitless talents of the man who is the rightful heir to the throne.

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Scouts are an essential part of each sport. But rarely has a journalist spotted talent that would change the face of basketball. To quote a famous line from the Sports Illustrated article, Wahl put an appropriate narrative for the basketball fraternity on what is yet to come.

“He’s almost there, but not yet. Only one more year—with no injuries, no complications—and he’ll make it. Then he can worry about the next step.”

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The prophecy turned out to be true, and the sport world will always be thankful for the undeniable career of LeBron James.

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Written by:

Jacob Gijy is a US Sports and NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Gijy finished his Post Graduation in Psychology and worked in a hospital for 2 years before his passion for sports compelled him to find his way to sports journalism. A fan of the great Tim Duncan, he is always ready to pick up a debate with anyone who does not offer the power forward, the respect he deserves.

Edited by:

Ajinkya Aswale

Grant Wahl, Who Introduced LeBron James as the ‘Chosen One’, Set to Be Posthumously Honored at the US Soccer Hall of Fame Ceremony

A soccer analyst who first put LeBron James on the map

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