#teamlebron: Dustin Sparage

Stats

Name: Dustin Sparage
Age: 17
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Twitter: @Dustin_LBJMVP

1. Tell us about you.

I am from San Antonio, Texas and I am the biggest LeBron fan you will ever meet. Kids at my school even think Lebron remembers me from how many times we have met and how big of a fan I am. Haha I know he has a lot of fans and he probably doesn’t remember me, but I still find it funny when kids say things to me like, “Say Hi To Lebron For Me!” For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for basketball. Growing up I played baseball, football, and basketball but by the age of 10, I knew that basketball was the sport for me. I played travel basketball along with school ball and now I am getting ready to graduate. When I was younger, I even got into computers a little bit and I created two of my own websites that have become very successful. I am moving off to the West Coast for college now where I will be studying Kinesiology in hopes of a career in coaching. I love the game so much and I believe that I have found the perfect career.

2. How long have you been a LeBron fan? And what was the first piece of gear that you ever bought?

I became a LeBron fan in the 4th grade at the age of 9. (The year he entered the league) To this day, I still remember getting in trouble for reading books about LeBron while the teacher was trying to teach. This was also when I got my first piece of gear, the Air Zoom Generation – LeBron’s first shoe. Around that same time, I was dealing with the passing of my cousin but LeBron always gave me reason to smile. Throughout the years, I have been very fortunate and lucky enough to receive a game worn headband and two game worn “King James” bracelets from LeBron. Another great memory I will always cherish is meeting LeBron at the Espy Awards and getting a picture with him. I have also attended LeBron’s basketball camp every single year in San Diego and two years ago, I even saved up all of my Christmas money to take a trip to Cleveland (From Texas In The Middle Of The School Year) so I could see LeBron play a home game at the Q. Hopefully I can save up enough money to take a trip to Miami soon. That is my dream!!

3. We’ve seen some of the pictures but how many pieces of LeBron & Heat gear do you have total? And what are your favorite pieces that you’ve collected so far.

Counting everything up is a little difficult but I will do my best for you haha. 32 pairs of Shoes. (At least one of every major signature. I know I had more then that too. I lost some pairs when we moved to a new house) 5 Autographs. 12 Jerseys. 20+ Books, Magazines, etc. About 50 T Shirts and Sweatshirts, and all sorts of other memorabilia including cards, clocks, trashcans, fatheads, and more. Also, for my 16th birthday my parents got me a Mercedes that is almost identical to one LeBron owns. (Not the same model of course) My favorite items have to be the game worn headband and the game worn bracelets. One of my bracelets is even framed and autographed.

Not only are they awesome to have but I still have great memories from each of them. I have a story for every item and I can remember exactly how all of them played out. I still remember when LeBron pointed at me to give me one of his bracelets. I couldn’t believe it!

4. Who would you like to see LeBron & the Heat play in the 2012 NBA Finals?

I would like to see anybody as long as LeBron gets his ring! I get excited for any series LeBron is in. I live to watch LeBron in the playoffs. I can still recall watching LeBron dismantle the Pistons in Game 5 at the Palace in 2007 and waving a towel in my family room, just to pretend I was among the many fans in the Q during LeBron’s playoff runs in Cleveland. Being a little hometown bias though, if I had to pick, it would be the Spurs. That would give me the best shot at seeing the King in the Finals!

5. Any shoutouts?

I just want to thank my parents for always sticking by me and giving me the opportunity to meet LeBron and all of the awesome things they have done for me over the years. LeBron I want to personally thank you for everything you have done. You have done a lot for me and I am really appreciative of all of it! My good buddy Jaxon. He has to deal with me talking about LeBron 24/7 and it takes a special person to do that. haha So shoutout to him and all of my second family on Twitter. You guys are awesome #TeamLebron. Keep doing what you do and keep supporting the king!