LeBron James has been selected as The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time.
In 2018, he continued to excel on the court, opened the "I Promise" school for at-risk children in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, and further used his voice as an activist who bristled at being told to "shut up and dribble."
James went to the NBA Finals for the eighth consecutive year. He changed addresses again, leaving his Cleveland home for the second time to join the Los Angeles Lakers in the biggest move of free agency over the summer.
He remained arguably the dominant player in the basketball, adding even more glitz on a legacy that reached epic status long ago. James received 78 points in balloting by U.S. editors and news directors announced Thursday, while Boston Red Sox star Mookie Betts was second with 46.
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals was third, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was fourth and Triple Crown winner Justify was fifth.
