Miami Heat All-Star forward LeBron James has been named USA Basketball's male athlete of the year for 2012 following his equaling of Michael Jordan's feat while leading Team USA to Olympic gold and the London Olympic Games this past summer.
The year 2012 seemed to have been James' year as he was named NBA league MVP for the third time in his career and NBA Finals MVP after leading the Heat to win the championship. Jordan is the only other player to accomplish that same feat in a calendar year, winning the NBA title, both MVP awards and Olympic gold in 1992.
James averaged about 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and a team-high 5.6 assists for Team USA in London, where he became one of three U.S. men to compete in three Olympics. He also won gold in 2008 and bronze in 2004.
U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said Wednesday in a statement that James was our leader, our best player, our playmaker."
LeBron was the central figure on this team," said Krzyzewski. "He was our leader, our best player, our playmaker. He led us in assists, 45 assists and only eight turnovers, and he did that having just won an NBA championship, being MVP of the finals and of the league, so he was very unselfish. I thought he really showed amazing leadership. His ability to communicate with everyone, that means players and coaches, and get us all on the same page was really incredible. I'm so proud of him."
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