“I Didn’t Have a Father”: Despite Missing Training Camp For Bronny’s Birthday, LeBron James Regretted Naming His Son

LeBron James is a family man through and through. Unlike Michael Jordan, the man he is often compared to, LBJ has displayed exceptional qualities as a father and as a husband. His wife Savannah James has stood by him through thick and thin. In his years of playing basketball, she has been the rock who has kept their family together.

To his credit, LeBron James has also proven time and again that he would go to any distance for the sake of his family. His love for Savannah is well known and so is his care for his children.

In Brian Windhorst’s book, LeBron James Inc.: The Making of a Billion Dollar Athlete, the NBA insider wrote of one such instance where LeBron proved his loyalty to his family. Although, he did end up regretting a very important decision about Bronny’s life.

LeBron James left training camp to name his son in person

James and Savannah started dating when they were still in school. Their relationship took a whole different turn right before James’ sophomore year. Savannah gave birth to his eldest son Bronny James.

LeBron was supposed to be with the cavaliers at the time but chose to leave the camp and be by his wife’s side for the birth of his son. Windhorst’s book revealed how LeBron intended to not follow in his own father’s footsteps.

Not being around a father, and having to rely on a felon, Eddie Jackson, James knew the importance of having a dad. His had left but he promised himself he would always be by the side of his own son.

But once LeBron saw his son, he ended up naming him after himself. LeBron James Jr. The name held in it a power that Bron was still not aware of. Inadvertently, by naming his son after himself, he had put unimaginable stress and pressure on his son. No wonder he now goes by the moniker Bronny James instead of his given name. This is also the reason LeBron James regrets naming his son after himself.

Brian Windhorst: “His life changed during training camp of his second year when his longtime girlfriend, Savannah Brinson, gave birth to a son. He named him LeBron Jr. The Cavs were having training camp at Capital University in Columbus. Savannah was overdue and scheduled to give birth the next day. LeBron had to explain why he would miss some practice time, so it was arranged for me to interview him under a set of bleachers after an evening practice. “I didn’t have a father,” LeBron said that night. “I’m going to make sure I give everything to my son that I didn’t have.” Years later, LeBron would say he regretted giving his first son his name because it put pressure on him.”

Luckily, Bronny has found his own path

It is unimaginable the amount of pressure Bronny would have felt carrying the weight of LeBron’s name. His father is not just a great basketball player but one of the best in the history of the game.

But fortunately, Bronny has carved out his own path. Standing at 6ft 3″, he has developed into an incredible guard and just played in the McDonald’s All American Game and was a runner-up in the dunk contest. He is certainly headed towards a career in the NBA and though it might not be as exceptional as LeBron’s, it will be unique to Bronny.