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NBA star LeBron James endorsed Hillary Clinton for president in op-ed's that ran in Business Insider and the Akron Beacon-Journal ahead of the Democratic nominee's visit to his hometown of Akron on Monday.

(AP)

NBA star and Ohio native LeBron James is endorsing Hillary Clinton for president.

James made the endorsement in an editorial that appears now on Business Insider's website and will run in some Akron publications Monday ahead of Clinton's visit to the city.

James says Clinton is a "champion for children and their futures." He also says Clinton is running on a message of "hope and unity" that is needed to address violence in black communities.

The Cleveland Cavaliers star said he cast a vote for Clinton as a way to build on the legacy of President Barack Obama.

James says Clinton's policies are the kind "the kids in my (charitable) foundation need from our government," and he said he's endorsing Clinton because "she will build on the legacy of my good friend, President Barack Obama.

"I believe in what President Obama has done for our country and support her commitment to continuing that legacy," James wrote in the op-ed.

"Because if basketball has taught me anything, it's that no one achieves greatness alone," James said. "And it takes everyone working together to create real change.

"When I look at this year's presidential race, it's clear which candidate believes the same thing."

Donald Trump clinched the Republican nomination this summer in Cleveland, home of James' NBA champion Cavaliers.

According to cleveland.com, he leads Clinton in most Ohio polls.



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Information from the Associated Press was used in this report