Lakers' LeBron James Says He Told Rich Paul to Recruit Talen Horton-Tucker in HS

With Talen Horton-Tucker breaking out to start the 2020 NBA preseason, LeBron James says he saw the guard's talent when he was in high school.

"I saw him about three-and-a-half, four years ago," James said, per Christian Rivas of SB Nation. "I was watching a high school basketball game and I happened to catch Simeon playing. And I told our agent at the time—it's now Talen's agent, Rich Paul—that he needs to take a look at this kid Talen Horton-Tucker that’s at Simeon. I think the kid is super talented. This was like four years ago."

Horton-Tucker signed with Paul and Klutch Sports before the 2019 NBA draft and he eventually ended up on the Lakers alongside James after being taken No. 46 overall.

After a nonchalant rookie season, he started turning heads this week with 52 points across two preseason games against the Los Angeles Clippers, adding 19 rebounds and seven steals.

At 6'4" with an incredible 7'1" wingspan, the Iowa State product has tremendous potential and already has plenty of faith from LeBron:

It's a quick ascent for a player who appeared in just six games as a rookie, averaging 5.7 points per game. Most of the year was spent in the G League, although he played well with 18.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for the South Bay Lakers.

His one collegiate season also left many wanting more, as he averaged 11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He shot 30.8 percent from three-point range, likely keeping him out of the first round.

As the No. 57 recruit in the nation out of high school, per 247Sports' composite, some saw potential, but an NBA career was far from guaranteed.

James saw the talent in Horton-Tucker at a young age, and the past few games have shown he could be right.