LeBron James-Mike Gansey relationship: Inside the high school connection between newest 76er and Philadelphia president

It's rare that high school opponents eventually play on the same team in the NBA. It may be even more of a rarity for the two to serve as the team's president while the other is an active player on the roster; just ask Philadelphia 76ers President Mike Gansey and newest Sixer LeBron James.

The two have roots dating back to their high school days in the Buckeye State, when they even competed against each other in the state's Mr. Basketball race in 2001.

More than 20 years later, both are vying to win an NBA championship once the opening tip is in the air for the 2026-27 season.

Here's the rundown on the connection between the 76ers' new star and their president.

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LeBron James-Mike Gansey relationship

James and Gansey first met during their high school days. The duo was some of the best basketball talent in the Buckeye State, and they were almost neck-and-neck in the Ohio Mr. Basketball rankings in 2001. James was able to edge Gansey out just barely, and the two were even photographed together in an image that has since gone viral.

While the two went their separate ways into the NBA world, Gansey worked inside the Cavaliers' organisation for 15 years, starting in the G League before being promoted to Cleveland's assistant general manager in 2017 and GM just five years later.

This past June, after Daryl Morey and the Sixers parted ways, Philadelphia hired Gansey to serve as the team's president of basketball operations. Just a month later, Gansey's organisation traded for his old Ohio basketball rival.

What high school did LeBron James go to?

James attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. There, the future NBA star won three state titles in 2000, 2001, and 2003, along with becoming a nationwide basketball star prior to his NBA playing days.

While playing with the SVSM Irish in 2002, James famously played against Oak Hill Academy. James dropped 31 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists en route to a 65-45 victory over the No. 1 high school team in the nation.

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What high school did Mike Gansey go to?

Gansey was an All-State star at Olmstead Falls, according to The Big Lead. The Sixers' president reportedly holds the school's all-time points record with 1,909 points (20.9 PPG), per his West Virginia athletics page.

After high school, Gansey played two seasons at St. Bonaventure from the 2001-02 season to the 2002-03 campaign before transferring to join the Mountaineers in 2004. Through 125 games in college, Gansey averaged 12.8 points and 5.2 rebounds.

LeBron James-Mike Gansey photo

Before James moved from St. Vincent-St. Mary straight into the NBA, he and Gansey took a picture. The future NBA star was donning his high school jersey in the photo, with his future GM to his right and an arm over James.

Here's a look at the coincidental photo:

Mike Gansey, the Sixers GM, standing next to LeBron James in high school 👀 pic.twitter.com/Ws7RsjpZDO

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Mr. Basketball Ohio voting

In 2001, both James and Gansey were at the top of the Mr. Basketball Ohio vote charts for the 2001 high school season. Mr. Basketball Ohio is an annual honor given to the best high school boys' basketball player in the Buckeye State.

As a senior, Gansey averaged 27.2 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 3.2 APG, 3.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game, according to his Mountaineers athletics page. James, on the other hand, averaged 29.2 PPG, 9.3 RPG, and 4.7 assists, along with shooting 56.0 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from beyond the arc, according to Basketball Reference.