I’m not really sure why the “Sports Illustrated” staff didn’t ask for me to write a celebrity column about who should win its 2012 Sportsman of the Year award, the magazine’s highest honor.

SI went ahead without me and picked LeBron James thanks to an NBA title, an Olympic gold and an NBA MVP.

I respect James, and he’s matured an unfathomable amount since the debacle of his infamous “Decision” in 2010.

But another athlete was overlooked — someone who also made a huge decision in 2010 and has also grown up a lot since then: gymnast Gabby Douglas, the 2012 Olympic women’s gymnastics all-around and team gold medalist.

In July 2010, James made a gaudy showcase of his decision to leave Cleveland for Miami in a one-hour ESPN special in which he turned the phrase, “I’m taking my talents to South Beach” a national catchphrase.

Just a few months later, Douglas convinced her mom that she needed to move 1,200 miles across country from Virginia to Iowa to train with Liang Chow, who coached 2008 Olympic standout Shawn Johnson. Douglas, who was talented yet barely known, decided to leave her family and friends to stay with a host family and practice. Most people, even Chow himself, were skeptical that she had what it took to win gold.

Douglas and James are both athletes who made decisions that drastically changed their lives, decisions that they each thought were crucial to their dreams of becoming champions.

James was 25 when he made his decision. Douglas was 14 when she made hers.

James spent his two years closely watched by scrutinizing American fans as he attempted to weave his way back into the country’s good graces and bring Miami an NBA title.

Douglas spent her time under the stern regime of Chow and the critical gymnastics world, where she was constantly overshadowed by gymnastics star Jordyn Wieber.

When it came time for the London Olympics, James had already redeemed himself with an NBA title. Douglas, meanwhile, was seen as an inconsistent performer, incapable of dethroning Wieber, her American teammate and the defending all-around world champion.

Douglas performed at her absolute best in London, nailing nearly all of her routines during preliminaries, team finals and all-around finals. She got tired as the competition dragged on and didn’t win any individual event medals, but that doesn’t change how she made history.

Douglas became America’s sweetheart overnight, as she wowed the world with her dazzling smile, boundless energy and flawless routines. She risked her entire childhood and truly embodied an American champion.

She’s known for her sassy personality, doing Dougie on national television and jaw-dropping release moves on the uneven bars, which is where she claimed the nickname of the “Flying Squirrel.”

Douglas made history as the first African-American woman to win the all-around gold medal and as the first American woman to win the all-around and team gold medal.

All three previous American all-around gold medal winners — Nastia Liukin (2008), Carly Patterson (2004) and Mary Lou Retton (1984) — claimed silver in the team competition.

Douglas’ success will inspire millions of young girls across the world, African-American or not. She has made a commitment to help inspire and educate young girls to be successful. And she’s only 16 years old.

This year also marks the 40th anniversary of Title IX, the law that leveled the playing field for female athletes and scholars.

Douglas would have been the perfect pick for Sportswoman of the Year. She truly embodies how much women’s athletic opportunities have advanced in the past 40 years.

James still has a ways to go before he’s the most accomplished basketball player of all time, but Douglas can take the gymnastics crown.

Emily is a graduate student. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyBayci.