Chris Livingston talks relationship with LeBron James, role in upcoming movie

Kentucky men’s basketball freshman Chris Livingston shares some unique connections to arguably the greatest hooper of all time, LeBron James.

Separated in age by 19 years, the two are natives of Akron, OH who possessed NBA-ready frames by the time they were in high school. Livingston grew up playing in the unrealistic shadow of James but has carved out a terrific path of his own in spite of that daunting pressure. He signed with Kentucky back in November as a five-star wing and arrived in Lexington earlier this month to begin his college career.

Unlike James, Livingston played his final high school season outside of Ohio. The 6-foot-7, 210-pounder transferred to basketball powerhouse Oak Hill Academy (VA) after spending three seasons at Buchtel High School, which is located in Akron. While at Oak Hill, he tightened up his already impressive skills and solidified himself as a top-tier prospect.

But despite leaving his hometown for the unknown ahead of his senior season, Livingston still holds significant ties to the city of Akron and to LeBron James. Livingston refers to James as a “mentor” in his life as the two have forged a more personal bond over the years.

“LeBron’s been a mentor and been a real role model ever since I was a kid,” Livingston told the media on Friday. “Obviously the role model aspect has taken its next step because we have a personal relationship now. He’s been huge in my life and I really appreciate the things he’s done.”

James has been a constant presence in the Akron community since he departed for the NBA in 2003. Of course, he’s spent over half of those years since in nearby Cleveland playing for the Cavaliers, but even once he moved to Miami and Los Angeles, his influence remained. He’s opened his own school for underprivileged children in the community and continues to give back.

“(James’ impact) definitely does play a big role in a kid’s life there because he’s always giving back, whether it’s schools or camps or gyms,” Livingston said. “It’s like a lot of the camps that kids are usually coming out of are what LeBron put the money into. It’s got his logos and things like that. It does play a major role in youth sports in Akron.”

Livingston was able to experience some of that influence, meeting James through some of those camps and just basketball in general during his childhood.

Most recently, James went out to recruit Livingston, but not for reasons relating to the hardwood. The King wanted the best Akron-born player since himself to take on the challenge of the big screen. Livingston was cast as the high school “rival” of James in an upcoming biopic titled Shooting Stars that covers James’ early life growing up in Akron.

“It’s called Shooting Stars. I’m playing one of the better players that LeBron played in his early childhood in high school,” Livingston said. “My freshmen year I went to play for Buchtel High School. LeBron went to (St.) Vincent-St. Mary’s. They’re two rivals so I’m playing the player on the other high school.”

Playing the role of young LeBron James in the movie is one of Livingston’s peers, five-star ’23 wing Mookie Cook, who is committed to Oregon. The film, which is based on a 2009 book by the same title, was teased in May and will include notable actors such as Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger Things.

Livingston said that he’s already filmed his portion of the flick, which is expected to see a 2023 release, but he wasn’t able to give away any details. He does have a few lines, though, and will match up against Cook (A.K.A. baby LeBron James) in his on-screen appearances.

Livingston admitted he even gets the better of James’ character in his scene.

“It’s great being a part of something like that,” Livingston added. “It’s with Universal Studios so it’s going to be a huge project, so it’s just a blessing even being a part of it.”