s arguably the greatest player in NBA history — with all due respect to Michael Jordan, of course — it’s only fitting that LeBron James is also regarded as one of the best Olympic athletes of all time.
With two Olympic gold medals (earned in 2008 and 2022) sitting next to his myriad of NBA awards in his trophy case, LeBron showed — more than once — that he can lead a team of NBA all-stars to new heights on an international stage. Although it should come as absolutely no surprise, LeBron’s Olympic highlight reel is genuinely jaw-dropping.
With the 2024 Summer Games just around the corner, NBC Insider is spotlighting what drives the future Hall of Famer behind the scenes: his family. Believe it or not, if there’s one thing LeBron loves more than the game of basketball, it’s his beautiful wife and children! Here’s everything you need to know about LeBron James’ family.
For more on the Olympics:
Olympic Sprinter Usain Bolt Is Inspiring a New Generation of Athletes: “Anything Is Possible”
Snoop Dogg Dancing with His Little Granddaughters in His Studio Is Too Cute for Words
LeBron James’ Wife Savannah
LeBron James and Savannah James at the premiere of “Shooting Stars” held on May 31, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images
A legendary Olympic athlete is only as good as the man or woman standing beside them, and LeBron James is no exception. James married his childhood sweetheart, Savannah Brinson, in a larger-than-life 2013 wedding attended by plenty of celebrities.
The couple began dating when they were just sixteen — Savannah caught LeBron’s eye, and their first date included attending a local basketball game (what else?) and enjoying a romantic meal at a nearby Outback Steakhouse, according to New York Magazine‘s The Cut. The pair have been inseparable ever since. We always love a story of two high school sweethearts standing the test of time — and Savannah has never wavered in her support for her husband. In fact, she famously planted her flag in the ground during a recent awards ceremony.
“I think LeBron James is the baddest to ever set foot on a basketball court,” Savannah professed during the 2023 ESPY Awards, per Revolt. “Nobody works harder. Nobody cares more and nobody has done more for the game of basketball.”
We don’t think anybody can argue with that. All relationships should aspire to have this much spousal support!
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LeBron James’ Three Kids
LeBron James, winner of Best Record-Breaking Performance, Bryce James, Zhuri James, Savannah James, and Bronny James attend The 2023 ESPY Awards at Dolby Theatre on July 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Say hello to the James children, everyone: Meet Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri.
Nine-year-old Zhuri Nova James was born in 2014, just one year after LeBron and Savannah tied the knot. The youngest member of the James family is interested in fashion and memorably attended the premiere of LeBron’s Space Jam movie in July 2021 alongside her parents.
Bryce Maximus James, now sixteen years old, was born in 2007 in the middle of a particularly hectic part of LeBron’s schedule — he was playing in the NBA Finals at the time! Like his father, Bryce has a natural knack for playing ball — in 2022, he received his first Division I scholarship offer from Duquesne University. Thankfully for the teen — and the family — he has plenty of time to decide where he wants to attend college.
His eldest son, 19-year-old Bronny (LeBron James, Jr.), is well on his way to following in his dad’s footsteps. Bronny recently finished his freshman season playing for USC, where the 6’4″ guard averaged nearly 20 minutes per game in an ultimately disappointing year for the Trojans (they failed to make the NCAA tournament).
Still, as one of the best prospects in college basketball, Bronny’s future on the hardwood looks overwhelmingly bright — and he has no bigger fan than his father. In fact, LeBron James went on the record a few years ago saying he doesn’t intend to retire from the NBA until he can play with Bronny.
“My last year will be played with my son,” he told The Athletic in 2022. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
Playing alongside his son would be a historic NBA first — no father-son duo has ever been in the league at the same time. (No pressure, Bronny!)
The sports world stood still in July 2023 when Bronny suffered cardiac arrest while working out with his USC teammates. Thankfully, in the months since, he’s made a full recovery, with a healthy prognosis for his basketball future in tow!
As of press time, there is no news surrounding whether Bronny will forgo his remaining years of collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2024 NBA Draft — but if and when that day comes, nobody will be more excited than his parents.
But even if the boys decided to pursue different careers, Savannah will support them. She told The Cut, “Listen, I want nothing for them except for their happiness. That’s it. In whatever it is that they decide to do, I’m here supporting and rooting for them. I’m their biggest fan always. If they decide to go the NBA route or a different route, whatever that is, I’m here.”
As for daughter Zhuri, Savannah shared that the 9-year-old isn’t playing basketball yet, but she’s definitely a fan of the sport. “She’s the loudest in the house and is like, ‘Hey, Mom, what time does the game come on?'” the 36-year-old revealed.
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LeBron James’ Quotes on Fatherhood
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a picture with his family at the end of the game, (L-R) Bronny James, Bryce James, Zhuri James Savannah James and Gloria James, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar’s career total of 38,387 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on February 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Harry How/Getty Images
Unsurprisingly, LeBron brings the same fierce determination and drive to the best he’s shown on the hardwood for two decades to the world of parenting. Much like the late Kobe Bryant, he isn’t afraid to show off his “girl dad” vibes for all the world to see!
“My daughter is the greatest thing in my life, along with my boys,” he confessed to PEOPLE in 2023. “So, whenever she smiles, it don’t matter what I’m doing, it makes me happy.”
Don’t worry, though. Zhuri doesn’t get all of the attention. LeBron’s sons still get plenty of rave reviews from their dad. As someone who bypassed college and went directly from high school to the NBA, LeBron is well aware of the significance of Bronny attending college (and Bryce following his brother’s lead in a few years).
“I’m super proud of [Bronny], our family is proud of him,” LeBron told PEOPLE. “For me personally, it’s even more special to me because it’s the first time someone out of my family to go to college. Obviously, I didn’t go to college. It’s just a proud moment to see my son go to college. Super duper proud, super emotional, but just super duper excited and happy for his journey.”
Pride, love, and support — that’s all anybody really needs, and LeBron James brings it to his family in spades.
