LeBron James Surprises Minnesota High School That Hosted Him for Workouts

Students at Rochester’s Lourdes High School were treated to a Friday they’ll never forget.

Lakers forward LeBron James has presumably been ramping up conditioning for the NBA season, in a way not dissimilar from his 20 prior years in the league.

However, this preseason has looked a little different for the future Hall of Famer.

LeBron spent time in Rochester, Minn. this week, working out at Lourdes High School—a small Catholic school in the southeastern Minnesota town. To punctuate his stay, he surprised the student body in their auditorium at the end of the school week.

“HUGE s/o Lourdes High School in Rochester, MN for this week’s long hospitality, prayers, love and support. I am very thankful for it all,” James wrote on Instagram. “To the faculty, teachers, coaches, principle [sic], students you guys absolute ROCK!!!!”

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Attached was video of the surprise appearance, during which James was unveiled from behind a curtain to chants of “L-B-J” and at least one shout of “I love you!”

James did not confirm why he was in Minnesota, but in August the family traveled to the renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester weeks after James’s son—USC guard Bronny James—entered cardiac arrest during a July Trojans practice. The trip was first reported by TMZ and confirmed in a James family statement on Aug. 25.

Lakers forward LeBron James during Los Angeles’s 108–102 overtime win over the Timberwolves on April 11, 2023 :: Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

With Los Angeles set to visit the Timberwolves on Dec. 21, perhaps James's return to Minnesota will function as a new sort of homecoming.