Hurricanes get a surprise visit from LeBron

By TIM REYNOLDS

AP Sports Writer

CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- LeBron James went back to school Thursday, working out against the Miami Hurricanes.
The NBA's two-time reigning MVP and some of his new Miami Heat teammates made a surprise stop at the university's basketball facility for some informal scrimmaging against the Hurricanes. James, Udonis Haslem, Mike Miller, Patrick Beverley and New Orleans guard Chris Paul - a close friend of James - played pickup for more than an hour.
"Just left 'The U' hooping with the team ... Great runs! Needed that," James posted on Twitter after the workout session.
Some of Miami's players hadn't been told beforehand that James and his crew would be popping in for a workout. James and the NBA players, including injured Heat guard Mario Chalmers, stayed afterward to pose for pictures.
It's not uncommon to see NBA players working out on Miami's campus, especially those who maintain offseason homes in South Florida. As far as the Hurricanes know, Thursday marked the first time James came for a visit since joining the Heat nearly two months ago.
"No question, it's great having those guys here," Miami coach Frank Haith said. "It's a great influence for our players. They're some of the greatest players in the NBA, so it's obviously great for our guys and our program."
James had a variety of eye-popping dunks during the pickup games, which were played without an audience - and with no video.
The Hurricanes hope to see plenty more of James, who has also been invited to see a Miami football game from its sideline anytime he wants - even if that happens to be Sept. 11, when the nation's No. 13 team travels back to James' homeland to face No. 2 Ohio State.
And if he wants to see a Miami football practice, that's fine with the Hurricanes as well.
James created a buzz in Cleveland last season after saying he could be "really good" if he committed to playing football, and Browns coach Eric Mangini make a half-serious offer for the 6-foot-8, 260-pound forward to "come on down" to work out with the NFL club.
"You need to come out to the football field and show ur skills for us," Hurricanes defensive back DeMarcus Van Dyke wrote to James on Twitter as news spread of the MVP's visit to campus.

LeBron James thanks Akron in ad

ESPN.com news services

LeBron James has taken out a full-page ad in his hometown paper in which he thanks the people of Akron for supporting him -- and doesn't mention the city where he played basketball the last seven years.

The ad, appearing in the Akron Beacon Journal, includes photos of James taking part in community events in Akron, including an annual downtown bike-a-thon he sponsors. That event is scheduled for Saturday, and James plans to appear.

James left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat as a free agent last month, joining Olympic teammates Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The move set off a negative reaction from some Cleveland fans and Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert.

Two days ago, former Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas took out a full-page ad in The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, thanking fans for their support. Ilgauskas, like James, had played his entire career in Cleveland before signing with Miami.

In his ad, James thanks Akron residents for their love and support. He calls the city his home and the "central focus" of his life and says he will always come back.

"It was here where I first learned how to play basketball, and where I met the people who would become my lifelong friends and mentors. Their guidance, encouragement and support will always be with me," reads James' ad in the Beacon Journal.

"Akron is my home, and the central focus of my life. It's where I started, and it's where I will always come back to. You can be sure that I will continue to do everything I can for this city, which is so important to my family and me. Thank you for your love and support. You mean everything to me."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.