LeBron James, who played the first seven of his 11 seasons in the NBA with the Cleveland Caveliers before moving to win two championships in four years with the Miami Heat, says he’s returning to his original team. 

“Before anyone ever cared where I would play basketball, I was a kid from Northeast Ohio,” LeBron James says in a letter written on Sports Illustrated. “It’s where I walked. It’s where I ran. It’s where I cried. It’s where I bled. It holds a special place in my heart. People there have seen me grow up. I sometimes feel like I’m their son. Their passion can be overwhelming. But it drives me. I want to give them hope when I can. I want to inspire them when I can. My relationship with Northeast Ohio is bigger than basketball. I didn’t realize that four years ago. I do now.” 

Several rappers have responded to the news, including Freddie Gibbs and Q-Tip. 

RELATED: Dr. Dre’s Beats Electronics Sale Nets LeBron James Multi-Million Dollar Payout