NBA

LeBron James

NBA forward, four-time NBA champion and all-time leading scorer

All evidence

2 records, newest first. Strength changes with age and weight class, so check the date and context before you compare.

1. 2014

   • Vertical jump40 in

     Effort unknownCleveland Cavaliers, start of second Cleveland spell, age 29ESPN Sport Science analysis (presented at the LeBron 12 shoe launch)

     “On alley-oops, he uses his 40-plus-inch vertical to launch his body high enough to reach balls over 11 1/2 feet above the court.”

     The best on the planet? (Philstar.com, 2014-09-18)News report2014-09medium confidence

     40 in = 101.6 cm, stored as a floor: the source says '40-plus'. Stated by ESPN Sport Science host John Brenkus from in-game alley-oop analysis, not a standing or combine test. Date is the source date. Widely repeated 40-44 inch figures on other sites have no named source and were not used.

2. 2012

   • 40-yard dash4.6 s

     Effort unknownMiami Heat, after his first NBA title, age 27Self-timed 40-yard dash in summer training

     “Asked his 40 time, LeBron said he ran a 4.6 in training last summer.”

     LeBron James says he toasted Manti Te'o in the 40 (NFL.com, 2013-02-26)Said in an interview2012medium confidence

     Dated from the source: said on 2013-02-26 about 'last summer' (2012). The quote is a Sun-Sentinel reporter's (Ira Winderman) tweet embedded in the NFL.com article. James said 'I was just messing around, though' and 'No training' (CBS Sports, same day). Self-reported with no official timing, so confidence medium. Not a combine time: he never did a combine.