LeBron James "excites" Hillary Clinton with presidential endorsement

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- An NBA player might be the most influential person in one of the most influential election states.

And on Monday, Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James made it known that he stands behind Hillary Clinton.

"Only one person running truly understands the struggles of an Akron child born into poverty. And when I think about the kinds of policies and ideas the kids in my foundation need from our government, the choice is clear," James wrote in an op-ed for the Akron Beacon Journal, also exclusively provided to Business Insider.

"That candidate is Hillary Clinton."

Clinton said she is "so excited" about James' endorsement," according to NPR.

"As a kid, I didn't have much money," James wrote. "It was just my mom and me, and things were rough at times," James wrote. "But I had basketball. That gave me a family, a community and an education. That's more than a lot of children in Akron can say. There are a lot of people who want to tell kids who grew up like me and looked like me that they just don't have anything to look forward to."

"That's dead wrong."

Clinton was in Akron Monday for an appearance at Goodyear Hall.

"I support Hillary because she will build on the legacy of my good friend, President Barack Obama," James wrote. "I believe in what President Obama has done for our country and support her commitment to continuing that legacy."

"Like my foundation, Hillary has always been a champion for children and their futures."