LeBron James can add another award to his name, after leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA title this year, and being named the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the year -- the four-time MVP has been named the male athlete of the year by the Associated Press.

It is the second time in three years, the King has been crowned with the award. The 31-year-old received 24 votes from 59 editors from the news service which helped him finish above swimmer Michael Phelps and nine-time Olympic Champion Usain Bolt.

2016 has been a landmark year for James who was able to help Cleveland, to its first major sporting Championship in 52-years when they came from three-one down in the NBA finals to beat Golden State. LBJ joins Michael Jordan as the only baller to win twice. His Airness won three times between 1991 and 1994.