What we know about LeBron James' dad Anthony McClelland

Publish date: 2024-04-22

Everything we know about LeBron James’ dad Anthony McClelland after the Lakers legend was honored at this year’s ESPYs.

LeBron James recently accepted the ESPY for Best Record-Breaking Performance after becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer this year. James accepted the award on stage at the 2023 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, where he also confirmed he will play this upcoming season amid retirement rumors.

“I don’t care how many more points I score, or what I can or cannot do on the floor,” James said at the awards show. “The real question for me is: Can I play without cheating this game? The day I can’t give everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done.

“Lucky for you guys, that day is not today.”

LeBron joined by his wife, mother and children after becoming all time leading scorer

LeBron James cemented his NBA legacy by becoming the all-time leading scorer. James needed just 36 points to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s longstanding record of 38,387.

Against the Thunder on 7 February 2023, James scored 38 points including a fadeaway two-pointer which broke the record.

“Everybody that has ever been a part of this run with me the last 20-plus years, I want to say thank you so much because I wouldn’t be me without all you. You all helped. Your passion and sacrifices helped me to get to this point,” he said.

The King was understandably emotional after breaking Kareem’s 39-year-old record. After making the shot to claim the No.1 position, LeBron was joined by his mom Gloria Marie James, and wife Savannah James, who he has been with since his high school days.

The family were also joined by LeBron’s children, sons, Bronny and Bryce and daughter, Zhuri.

What we know about LeBron James biological dad Anthony McClelland

Noticeable in his absence was LeBron James’ biological dad, Anthony McClelland. McClelland has been absent for most of LeBron’s life and was not involved in James’ childhood.

According to reports, Gloria James and Anthony McClelland were in a casual relationship when then 16-year-old Gloria became pregnant with LeBron. McClelland was not around for LeBron’s birth and Gloria raised LeBron as a single mother.

To this day, LeBron has reportedly never met Anthony McClelland and his father remains estranged. McClelland reportedly spent time in and out of prison but tried to reconnect with LeBron in 2002 but James declined.

Allegedly there are people who have claimed to be LeBron’s real father in the past, including a man named Leicester Bryce Stovell. However, these were reportedly proven to be false.

There are also rumors that LeBron James’ father is a man called Roland Bivins who was reportedly shot and killed when LeBron was eight years old. Some have even suggested that McClelland is Bivens, however these stories are unconfirmed and remain internet speculation. An alleged photo of McClelland has been shared across social media in the past but its authenticity is unconfirmed.

LeBron is an only child but according to some sources he reportedly has a half-brother called Aaron McClelland Gamble.

LeBron once thanked his father for not being in his life

Needless to say, LeBron has done well enough without a father in his life. In 2014 he posted an Instagram message to his dad thanking him for not being in his life.

“Like, ‘Wow, Dad, you know what, I don’t know you, I have no idea who you are, but because of you is part of the reason who I am today,’ James wrote.

‘The fuel that I use—you not being there—it’s part of the reason I grew up to become who I am. It’s part of the reason why I want to be hands-on with my endeavors. And be able to put my guys that’s with me now in position. Like Maverick Carter, my right-hand guy in my business. Rich Paul, my agent. Randy Mims, my friend—he’s my manager, you know.

‘So me in a position allowing people around me to grow, that maybe wouldn’t have happened if I had two parents, two sisters, a dog, and a picket fence, you know?”

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