LeBron James Announces Establishment of New Charity at University of Akron

Timothy Rapp @@TRappaRTFeatured ColumnistOctober 12, 2016

INDEPENDENCE, OH - SEPTEMBER 28: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers smiles and laughs during a practice at The Cleveland Clinic Courts on September 28, 2016 in Independence, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)

David Liam Kyle/Getty Images

LeBron James announced on his Instagram account on Wednesday that he has established the LeBron James Family Foundation "I Promise" Institute at the University of Akron.

James also tweeted the news:

LeBron James @KingJames
Humbled & unbelievably proud to announce the #LJFF I PROMISE Institute at @UAkron!! Go back. invest. Rebuild. Change. that’s our duty. https://t.co/4wND9HXiBH

The "I Promise" program offers Akron children a full scholarship to the University of Akron if they finish James' program. According to Micah Peters of For The Win, kids must "graduate from a high school within Akron’s public school system, achieve certain standardized test scores and fulfill a community service requirement."

The "I Promise" Network is one pillar of the LeBron James Family Foundation.

James, 31, led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA title in organization history this past season, besting the Golden State Warriors in seven games after trailing 3-1. He averaged 25.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game in the regular season and was even better in the postseason, putting up 26.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 1.3 blocks per contest.

The 12-time All-Star and four-time NBA MVP remains arguably the game's best player (two-time defending MVP Steph Curry can make a strong case on that front as well), but his contributions off the court remain just as noteworthy and important.

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