Cavaliers star LeBron James plans to give a large donation to the Muhammad Ali exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture because he felt the legendary boxer helped inspire his own career.
"Muhammad Ali is such a cornerstone of me as an athlete because of what he represented not only in the ring as a champion but more outside the ring — what he stood for, what he spoke for, his demeanor," James said, via USA TODAY Sports.
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"I think of him every day. Without his passion and goals and morals, I don’t know if I’d be sitting here today talking to you about it."
According to the report, James, his charitable foundation and James’ business partner, Maverick Carter, will donate a total of $2.5 million to the new exhibit.
Former NBA stars such as Michael Jordan ($5 million) and Magic Johnson ($1 million) have also donated to help the exhibit at the recently opened museum.