LeBron James endorses Hillary Clinton

In the piece provided to Business Insider ahead of its publication in Monday's Akron Beacon Journal, James said Clinton's policies align with his work through the LeBron James Family Foundation to help children in northeast Ohio stay in school. 

"When I look at this year's presidential race, it's clear which candidate believes the same thing," he wrote. "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.

"That candidate is Hillary Clinton."

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The Cleveland Cavaliers star pointed to Clinton's efforts to "improve public schools, expand access to health care, support children's hospitals and so much more."

"She wants to make sure kids have access to a good education, no matter what ZIP code they live in," James wrote of Clinton, who is campaigning in Ohio on Monday. "She’ll rebuild schools that are falling apart and put more money into computer science. She’ll make sure teachers are paid what they deserve so they can give everything to their students."

He added, "She also has plans to make college a reality for more people in America, especially for those who can’t afford it. My kids in Akron are proof of the hope and motivation that come from knowing college can be in their future, no matter what obstacles they might be facing."

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James also praised Clinton's "message of hope and unity" as a starting point for ending violence in African-American communities.

"I don’t know everything it will take finally to end the violence," he wrote. "But I do know we need a president who brings us together and keeps us unified. Policies and ideas that divide us more are not the solution. We must all stand together — no matter where we are from or the color of our skin."