US basketball superstar LeBron James was given a hero’s send-off as he was treated to a parade through the streets of Guangzhou in his honour to cap his annual trip to China yesterday.

The Cleveland Cavaliers star was making his 12th trip to the far east as part of an off-season Nike campaign and was pictured posing surrounded by thousands of fans, who reportedly chanted “MVP” at him as he made his way through the streets on a truck.

James was a key figure as the Cavaliers overturned a deficit in last year’s NBA Finals to bring a first championship to Cleveland.

James also visited Beijing during the jaunt where he trained with youngsters, took part in a weights session and invited a group of players to Cleveland to attend a Cavs game next season.