DeMar DeRozan discusses LeBron James showing out at Drew League in 2022

When it's all said and done, it will be acknowledged that few have done more to aid the growth of basketball than LeBron James. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has been at the forefront of the player empowerment movement, all the while taking the baton from Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan as the face of the NBA.

One of the best moments from James' legendary playing career transpired in 2022, when the most decorated player of the 21st century showed out at the Drew League.

For those unfamiliar, the Drew League is one of the most competitive offseason basketball settings in the country. Current and former NBA players routinely take part in the event, with the underlying goal of helping the Drew League Foundation provide safer paths for at-risk youth.

In a recent appearance on the 520 Club Podcast, six-time All-Star and recent Sacramento Kings acquisition DeMar DeRozan told the story of James playing at the Drew League in 2022.

"Shout out to Bron for doing that. He's definitely a real one ofr doing that. It was about a week before I had played in it and he had hit me like, 'What's up, when are you playing in the Drew again?' I'm like, 'Next week. F*** it, come f*** with me.' He said, 'Alright bet, I'll come f*** with you.' So I'm thinking he'd probably forget or he got busy. It was like the night before in the final week and he was like, 'What time is the game? Alright bet, I'm pulling up.'"

DeRozan continued, explaining the impact that James showing up had on those in attendance:

"I think I had tweeted Deebo and the crown or whatever. Pulled up and just to see how electrified the city was. I'm big on looking into the crowd and seeing kids' reactions. Seeing those [kids] like they just seen a ghost. To me, that's the s*** that makes it feel like this s*** is always bigger than basketball. Because these kids are carrying this s*** forever. They're going to remember this moment. For bro to do that, that s*** was amazing. Especially 20 years in. In the hood, and hoop?"

It was one of the great basketball moments of the past decade, as the biggest star in the sport decided to play a rare game outside of the NBA.

DeMar DeRozan says LeBron James playing in Drew League remined him that it's bigger than basketball

The Drew League has a storied history of hosting top-tier talent, with DeRozan, a three-time All-NBA honoree, acting as a shining example of that. Other current or future Hall of Famers who have taken the court include Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Paul George, James Harden, and Paul Pierce.

With Bryant taking part in Drew League action while he was the Lakers' franchise player, it was fitting that James followed in his footsteps while occupying that same role and responsibility.

It wasn't the first time that James had appeared at the Drew League, as he actually took part in it in 2011. It was his first appearance in more than a decade, however, as well as his first showing since becoming an NBA champion.

Over the course of the 11 years between his Drew League appearances, James won four championships and four Finals MVP awards with three different organizations.

At 37 years of age, James returned to the Drew League with a Lakers championship already on his résumé. It was a bold decision given how most 37-year-old players spend their offseasons—if they're even still in the NBA.

It was also a beautiful example of how James continues to give back to the sport that he's acted as the face of for the better part of 21 seasons.

Looking forward, DeRozan and James will resume the competitive aspect of their relationship during the 2024-25 season. DeRozan joined the Kings via sign-and-trade during the 2024 offseason and will now see James and the Lakers on four different occasions during the regular season.

With mutual respect between them and the longstanding commitment to elevating basketball at every level, those encounters should be as epic as ever.