Tom Reid of the Akron Beacon-Journal and Chris Tomasson of the Rocky Mountain News report: At a news conference on Friday afternoon, 18-year old  St. Vincent-St. Mary High School star LeBron James officially announced that he is declaring for this June?s NBA Draft.

James, who is likely to be the first player selected in the draft, held the conference at his high school and it was broadcast by the Ohio News Network and ESPN2

He has wanted to play in the NBA since grade-school and is happy to take the first steps towards being drafted.

``It's been a longtime goal, and I'm happy it's finally coming true,'' James said.

At the news conference, James also said that he will play for the team that drafts him and believes he can make an immediate impact on the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Denver Nuggets.

``Whatever team decides to pick me on June 26, 2003, I won't let them down,'' said James. ``I'll look to be a leader on a team that is looking to get better from season to season.''

   "If I get drafted by the Cavs, they will be a lot better team than they were a year ago," James said. "As for Denver, the same thing goes."

 With the draft lottery coming up in about a month on May 22, James figures his future home is close to being decided and hopes to get acquainted with his new team as soon as possible.

"Hopefully, everybody says I'll be the No. 1 pick," James said. "I'll get to know a lot of my teammates when the (lottery) balls drop. Once those balls drop, I'm going to go build a relationship with the coaches and the team. It's not a lock that I'm going to be the No. 1 pick. But I want to get in some spring training."

"Whatever team picks me won't be disappointed.?