LeBron James: Will run for US presidency if told Donald Trump would win otherwise

Basketball superstar LeBron James has accused United States President Donald Trump of creating racial tensions in the county and using sports to do so.

The Los Angeles Lakers' NBA star even replied in the affirmative when he was asked by CNN's Don Lemon whether he would run for the presidency if it was the only way to stop Trump from winning.

James, who was talking to the television channel shortly after opening a school for at-risk kids in Ohio, slammed Trump saying he had not seen sport dividing people until Trump used it to create division in the US.

When asked what he would tell Trump if he meets him in person, James was quick to say he would never sit across from the US president, who has been facing the ire of many due to his seemingly divisive approach.

"When you're part of sports, it brings so much comradery and so much fun. We are in a position right now, in America more importantly, where this whole race thing has taken over," James told CNN.

"One, because I believe our president is trying to divide us... he is, he's dividing us and what I have noticed over the last few months is that he's kind of used sport to divide.

"That's something that I can't relate to because I know that sport was the first time I was around someone who was white. I got an opportunity to see them and learn about them and they got an opportunity to learn about me and we became very good friends.

"Sport has never been something that divides people, it has always been something that brings people together."

This is not the first time James has spoken against Trump. The frequent critic of the president said earlier this year that the world's most powerful leader has been emboldening racists. 

James on Stephen Curry's White House Snub and NFL national anthem protests

Meanwhile, James also pointed out instances where Trump has twisted narratives and made peaceful protests by athletes look like an insult to patriotism and the military.

He made references to the way Trump dealt with much-debated kneeling protests during the national anthem at NFL games and Stephen Curry's White House snub.

Notably, several NFL players have been kneeling down during the pre-game national anthem session while describing it as a gesture to protest against issues of racial inequality, especially the police brutality.

However, Trump has continuously slammed the practice and even said he was able to find a real issue with the protests. He also insisted the well-paid athletes shouldn't get the politics involved.

Trump had also attacked Curry and NBA giants Golden State Warriors in September last year after the reports claimed the title-winning team would snub the tradition White House visit. The president even withdrew the invitation.

James had called Trump a 'bum' and pointed out that he cannot uninvite a person who wasn't interested to visit the White House at the first place.