LeBron James wins Sports Illustrated award (AFP)

LeBron James has been named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year for 2016 after fulfilling his pledge to end Cleveland's 52-year wait for a major championship. James, 31, was the driving force behind the Cleveland Cavaliers' NBA Finals triumph, inspiring his team to a 4-3 victory after they had trailed the Golden State Warriors 3-1 in June. It completed a personal odyssey for James, who had made winning a championship with Cleveland his goal after returning to the Cavs in 2014 after four successful seasons with the Miami Heat.