12 Jul 2014

LeBron James returning to Cleveland

6:37 am on 12 July 2014

The two-time NBA basketball champion LeBron James has announced that he'll rejoin the Cleveland Cavaliers next season, returning to the hometown club he spurned in 2010 after sparking the Miami Heat to two NBA titles.

The Miami Heat's LeBron James works off the dribble against the San Antonio Spurs' Danny Green in Miami in June.

The Miami Heat's LeBron James works off the dribble against the San Antonio Spurs' Danny Green in Miami in June. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The dramatic move from the 29-year-old, the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, ended days of speculation about his free agency choice, which had Cleveland fans in a frenzy of anticipation.

James posted a photo of himself in a Cavaliers uniform on Instagram and Twitter with the phrase "I'm coming home" and the Cavaliers logo.

"Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio. It's where I walked. It's where I ran. It's where I cried. It's where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up.

"I sometimes feel like I'm their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn't realize that four years ago. I do now."

James leaves behind a veteran Miami club with team-mates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and joins a young squad with new coach Dave Blatt, star guard Kyrie Irving and this year's top NBA draft pick, guard Andrew Wiggins, that could be a contender for many years to come.

James was selected by Cleveland as the top pick of the 2003 NBA draft and won Rookie of the Year honours.

He guided the Cavaliers to their only NBA Finals in 2007, where they were swept by the San Antonio Spurs.

In 2010, James became a free agent and staged a television show on ESPN called "The Decision" on which he announced he was leaving for Miami, a much-criticised move that prompted Cleveland fans to burn his jerseys in anger.

In his four years with the Heat James lead the team to four NBA finals, two NBA titles, won two league MVP awards and two finals MVP awards.