LeBron James finally reveals the truth behind rumors he played pickup game with Michael Jordan when he was 16

LeBron James has finally put the record straight about the long-running rumor that he played in a pickup game with Michael Jordan at the age of 16.

LeBron, who is frequently compared to Jordan in basketball's GOAT debate, is said to have joined the Chicago Bulls legend on the court for a non-competitive session in his teenage years before eventually becoming a star in his own right.

And during an appearance on NFL brothers Travis and Jason Kelce's New Heights podcast, the Los Angeles Lakers icon was asked to clear up once and for all whether the urban myth is true or not. 

'First of all, MJ, Antoine Walker and the rest of those guys did not let young guys get on the court, at all,' LeBron recalled while confirming the pickup game did happen.

'And I was 16 years old, I was a sophomore in high school, and it takes a while to get on the court. 

'Usually when the older guys, they get tired and they don't want to play no more, they're like whatever. 

'But I did and I was able to get on the court. I was on the court with Michael Jordan, Antoine Walker, Penny Hardaway, Ron Artest, Michael Finley.'

Travis then asked which NBA player was guarding him on the day. 

'Nobody. I was unguardable,' LeBron said before the Kelce brothers burst into laughter.

While he has never spoken about the pickup game himself, Artest - who spent over two decades in the NBA - has previously discussed a young LeBron showcasing his talent on the court with the group of players that day.

'[LeBron] was cookin'. Like, he was 15 or 16 postin', getting to the basket, and I'm like, "This is going to be a huge issue," you know. And it sure was,' the former Bulls and Lakers small forward said on veteran NBA player Paul George's podcast in 2014.

'Three more years, and he right there. He actually motivated me. When I saw that, it motivated me.'

Jordan, who won six NBA Championships during two legendary stints with Chicago, would have either been in a short-lived retirement or closing the curtain on his career with the Washington Wizards when the pickup game with LeBron went down.

The latter has gone on to rival him in the all-time great discussion, having won four NBA titles while becoming the sport's all-time leading point scorer.

To list some of his other accolades; he holds the record for most minutes played while also claiming three Olympic gold medals, plus 20 and likely soon to be 21 All-Star selections.

Having turned 40, the LA great recently became the first ever player to step onto an NBA court in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s.