This column on LeBron James appeared in the Arizona Daily Sun in December 2002.

Prep star James proves hype is justified

By Ed Odeven

Believe the hype.

LeBron James is that good.

In a rare nationally televised high school game Thursday night — the first shown live in 13 years — in something dubbed the Progressive High School Classic at Cleveland State’s Convocation Center, countless sports fans across the country got to see with their own eyes why every coach, talent evaluator, agent and shoe company mogul salivate whenever they see James on a basketball court.

This is what they witnessed:

James carried the No. 23 St. Vincent-St. Mary (Akron, Ohio) High School basketball team to a 65-45 victory over the nation’s No. 1-ranked team, Oak Hill Academy of Virginia.

James showcased a full, polished repertoire of offensive moves, including fadeaway jumpers, spot-up three-pointers, getting open and gliding through traffic…