executives and tv producers all wanted an audience with the teenage sensation. >> at least 20, 25 requests a day. we heard from the letterman show, leno. we would get requests from people wanting him to come and shoot with their kids at their child's bar mitsvah. it was just unbelievable. >> all under the watchful eye of lebron's mother gloria. >> as he was pulled in more and more differently directions, the motherly protection instincts kicked into high gear. this was her son's life. >> the teenager signed a lucrative deal with nike for tens of millions before graduating high school. at a postgame press conference, a reporter asked about the plans. >> he looked over at me and he said, well, patty, i think i have to get back to school. i have a lot of assignments to make up. he didn't have to do that but it was on his mind.