Michelle Obama: ‘So proud’ of LeBron James using his ‘platform for good’

Michelle Obama says she and former President Obama are “so proud” of LeBron James for opening a school for at-risk children, encouraging the NBA star to “keep using [his] platform for good.”

The former first lady tweeted to her more than 10 million followers on Tuesday:

.@BarackObama and I are so proud of @KingJames and @IPROMISESchool. Kids in Akron and across the US are lucky to have you as a role model on and off the court. Keep using your platform for good and giving our kids a chance to shoot for the stars. #ReachHigher #BetterMakeRoom pic.twitter.com/hyS6UM2A7b

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 31, 2018

Michelle Obama’s tweet came a day after James, a soon-to-be Los Angeles Laker, opened a new elementary school in Akron, Ohio. The school, which caters to more than 200 at-risk children, is a joint project between James’s foundation and the Akron Public Schools system.

{mosads}

James, 33, has been critical of President Trump, saying Monday that the commander in chief has used sports to put Americans at odds with one another.

“You know, we are in a position right now in America, more importantly where this whole, this race thing has taken over,” James said in an interview with CNN’s Don Lemon. “One, because I believe our president is kind of trying to divide us.” 

“And what I’ve noticed over the past few months is he’s kind of used sports to kind of divide us, and that’s something that I can’t relate to,” James said. 

Michelle Obama’s praise also comes after James came under fire for criticism earlier this year of Trump. 

After a February video in which James said Trump doesn’t “give a f— about the people,” Fox News host Laura Ingraham said the basketball star should “shut up and dribble,” rather than slam the president.

James responded in a tweet, writing, “#wewillnotshutupanddribble.”

It’s not the first time Michelle Obama has joined forces with James. 

The NBA pro participated in the viral “Mannequin Challenge” alongside Michelle Obama while visiting the White House with his then-Cleveland Cavalier teammates in 2016. 

James also appeared in a 2014 promotional video for “Let’s Move,” the former first lady’s anti-childhood obesity initiative.