Rashad McCants Reveals When He Started Hating LeBron James

Rashad McCants spoke on Gilbert Arenas' podcast about what caused him to hate LeBron James in his career. While Arenas joked that it was when James chose to sign with the Lakers, McCants revealed that his animosity with James goes back to his days as a high school player, when James emerged as the best high school prospect in the country, entirely outshining McCants.

"In 2001. Parade All-American, magazine. That n**** popped up out of nowhere in the magazine, I was like 'Who the f**k is this n****?'. It's supposed to be me and all these n****s, and this n**** popped up and they put him above me. I was like 'I need to know who this n**** is'. And ever since then, he's been on my hit list."

It's hard to tell whether McCants was serious or joking, but it is understandable why players in high school at the time would be jealous of, or resent James. Not just because LeBron was talented, but because of the massive amount of media attention he garnered, leading to his high school games being broadcast on ESPN, which was unheard of at the time.

LeBron James was the standout high school prospect from the years of 2001 to 2003. Playing for St. Vincent-St. Mary's high school in Akron, Ohio, James rose to prominence off the back of some incredible and unbelievable performances. He was so good that he was able to declare for the NBA Draft right out of high school, getting selected first overall in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Rashad McCants Struggled In The NBA

As for McCants, he was considered a five-star high school prospect and joined the University of North Carolina in 2002. Spending three years with the Tar Heels, McCants was able to help win a NCAA championship with the team, before making his way to the NBA in 2005.

McCants was selected as the 15th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft, joining the Timberwolves. His NBA career wouldn't last very long, as he was traded just four years later to the Sacramento Kings, where his contract expired. McCants would get more opportunities with NBA teams, but they would not work out due to health issues or personal reasons.

He continued playing basketball internationally in the Philippines, France, China, Brazil, and Venezuela, before joining the Big 3 league, where he helped the Trilogy win the first-ever Big 3 championship and was named Finals MVP.

During his career, McCants averaged 10.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.3 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game. His time in the NBA was short-lived, but he can't hold that against LeBron James, as James had no influence on his presence in the league, or on his performances on the court.

James of course, went on to become one of the greatest players of all time, winning 4 NBA championships, 4 Finals MVPs, 4 regular season MVPs, an NBA Cup and Finals MVP, Rookie of the Year, and earning 20 All-Star and All-NBA nominations, 6 All-Defensive nominations, and becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

While it may have seemed harsh at the time for McCants, the media were right to focus on and hype up LeBron James as much as they did.