Aaron Goodwin sat in the bleachers when LeBron James played his season opener against a little-known opponent in the cramped, 1,700-seat gym at Akron's St. Vincent-St. Mary High last fall.

By the time Goodwin attended James' April 25 news conference, where the senior, 18, announced he would turn pro, it appeared this West Coast agent had won the battle to represent basketball's most promising and hyped young star.

Yesterday, James confirmed Goodwin, 42, would be his agent in a statement released by his publicist.