LeBron James (picture) has overtaken Michael Jordan as the US most popular athlete, according to a Harris poll.

Almost from the moment James exploded onto the NBA scene as the number one overall pick in the 2003 draft, a debate has raged over who was the better of the two basketball superstars.

Jordan had held the top honour from 1993-2005 and again in 2013 before being supplanted this year by James, who was ranked no.2 in 2013.

It is likely that James is even more popular after the four-time NBA most valuable player decided last week to return to Cleveland Cavaliers following a successful four-year run with Miami Heat that brought the team two NBA titles.

The poll was conducted between June 11 and 16 before James, a 10-time All-Star, made his decision.

There was no change at the top among America’s most favourite female athletes with tennis’s Serena Williams for a fifth straight year.

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