NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!
LeBron James appeared Saturday in the Drew League, his first appearance there since 2011, when the NBA was in the middle of a blockade.
James teamed up with Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan in Los Angeles for his appearance in the professional basketball league. His team, the MMV Cheaters, won the game 104-102 over the Black Pearl Elite.
It was the Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s first appearance on the court in about three months after his season ended without a playoff appearance.
“I’m 100% healthy,” James told ESPN after the first half.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE AT FOXNEWS.COM
LeBron James handles the ball in the Drew League pro-am on July 16, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Cassy Athena / Getty Images)
James and DeRozan’s team lost seven points in the fourth quarter before winning the game again.
James, 37, scored 42 points and made 16 rebounds, four steals and three assists. DeRozan, a Compton native who regularly works on his game in the summer in the Drew League, added 30 points and 14 rebounds.
DONALD STERLING, FORMER UNFAIR NBA TEAM OWNER, MAKES A RARE PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN CALIFORNIA
DeMar DeRozan and LeBron James smile on the court during the Drew League pro-am on July 16, 2022 in Los Angeles. (Cassy Athena / Getty Images)
“Let him be here and get in the middle of the ‘hood’, where every day there are normal people who admire him … He’s a superstar, so let him come here and thank these people for his presence, I think it’s super drug, “said Ethan Alvano, who played Black Pearl Elite on ESPN. “I’m glad he did, and it’s great for the community.”
After the match, James posted on Instagram: “For the city !! Fk with all of you!”
The game brought people like Draymond Green, Montrezl Harrell, Kendrick Nunn and Talen Horton-Tucker to the gym.
Kyrie Irving, who was expected to appear and play in one of the games, made no appearance.
The Drew League is a pro-am basketball league launched in 1973 by Alvin Willis, who was then working at Charles R. Drew Middle School. Since 2012, league games have been played at the King / Drew Magnet High School of Medicine and Science in the Willowbrook neighborhood of Los Angeles.
LeBron James sits for a time out at the Drew League pro-am on July 16, 2022 in Los Angeles. (Cassy Athena / Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The league has grown in popularity since the close of 2011. NBA stars like James, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, James Harden, Kevin Durant and Paul George have appeared in Drew League games over the past decade or so.
Ryan Gaydos is the sports editor for Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to Ryan.Gaydos@fox.com.