LeBron James was born in December 1984 to Gloria James and Anthony McClelland. His father was absent from his life due to his criminal record, leaving his mother to raise him. Gloria did everything for LeBron, and he has credited her for making him the man he is today. So, when rumors began to surface that his teammate Delonte West was sleeping with her, things got awkward.
Advertisement
The rumors arose in 2010 and apparently greatly affected the Cleveland Cavaliers’ chemistry. It supposedly reached a point where the two men weren’t even talking to each other. Essentially adding more fuel to the fire. The following year, West was traded away to the Timberwolves.
However, a few years later and these rumors have been debunked. Former NBA superstar, John Salley refuted these claims. He suggested that the rumors started because the media needed a story, and in actuality, King James handled it very well.
John Salley debunks the rumor that Delonte West slept with LeBron James’ mother
Four-time NBA Champion John Salley put to rest rumors surrounding LeBron James, his mother Gloria, and his former teammate Delonte West. Back in 2010 rumors about West sleeping with Gloria James were rife. Salley told Vlad TV in a 2021 interview, that he believes this was all just media speculation.
He claimed that the media were just trying to get in between the two men. But, rather than react adversely, Salley claims King James handled it quite well. In fact, he commended the then 26-year-old for his silence. Adding on that he chose not to feed the rumors and that is why they didn’t survive.
John Salley: “They were saying something like that because they wanted a story. They were trying to get in between. And, I remember LeBron didn’t say anything. He had no words for it. And, he learned. Some smart people realize, when there are rumors out there about you, don’t feed into it and it won’t survive.”
And, Salley was right. Neither LeBron nor his mother commented on these rumors. Over time, these rumors died down, without either of them sparing a moment’s thought on it.
As for Delonte West, he went on to have a short-lived career in the NBA after that. The man struggled with drug addiction and was out of the league after two years.
Delonte West was last seen in Virginia, where he was arrested
Following his departure from the NBA, Delonte West went over to play in China. But, his career in basketball didn’t last long, and he returned home to the United States. Here, West continued to struggle with homelessness, drug abuse, and bipolar disorder. Many fans, ex-players, and even owners tried to reach out to him and help him, but to no avail.
According to the last report surrounding him, he was arrested in Fairfax County, Virginia for trespassing, fleeing from law enforcement, for being drunk in public, and for entering a vehicle that wasn’t his.
