The Palestra featuring LeBron James
While a senior in high school in 2002, the NBA great played at the Palestra in a showdown pitting Akron, Ohio’s St. Vincent-St. Mary Fighting Irish against Philadelphia’s Strawberry Mansion Knights.
Image: NBA
The uproarious and itinerant LeBron James show made its Philadelphia debut at the sold-out Palestra on Dec. 22, 2002, featuring the 6’8” 17-year-old senior marvel, the No. 1-rated high school player in the nation, and his St. Vincent-St. Mary supporting castmates against 6’1” senior scoring sensation Maureece “The Scorelord” Rice and the Strawberry Mansion Knights.
“King” James’ senior year at St. Vincent-St. Mary was an electrifying, and sometimes controversial, extravaganza. The Fighting Irish of Akron, Ohio, crisscrossed the country like a college or pro team for contests against the nation’s top prep teams. Around a dozen of their games were available on pay-per-view.