LeBron James, current Los Angeles Lakers superstar and an all-time great, owes his success not only to his talent and hard work but also to the support system he had during his childhood. LeBron was unable to live with his mother Gloria James when in the fourth grade. Subsequently, he had to stay with another family, the Walkers, as revealed in an excerpt from “LeBron James Inc.: The Making of a Billion Dollar Athlete” by Brian Windhorst.
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In fourth grade, LeBron missed over eighty days of school due to instability at home. His mother, Gloria James, faced difficulties keeping the family together and had personal issues.
Consequently, he lived with the Walker family in fifth grade, a pivotal experience that transformed his life.
The Impact of the Walker Family on LeBron James
The Walker family provided stability, routines, and accountability to LeBron. Their support allowed him to have perfect attendance and develop a strong academic focus. The Walkers became his second family, greatly influencing his life. Windhorst writes:
“They changed his life. With a stable support system, routines, and accountability as a part of his daily life, he had perfect attendance in fifth grade. He became a good student who cared about school.”
This experience inspired LeBron to use his resources and connections to help at-risk children, similar to how he once was. The excerpt reads:
“LeBron suddenly saw what he needed to do with his resources and connections: directly reach into the lives of at-risk children, children who were like he was.”
The change in environment and support system had a profound impact on the superstar. He attended school diligently, which translated into success both on and off the basketball court. The Walkers instilled in him the necessary discipline and work ethic that contributed to his current status as a superstar athlete and successful businessman.
The Importance of Discipline
LeBron’s story with the Walker family underscores the significance of discipline and support in the lives of talented athletes. Many gifted athletes have potential but often lack the discipline and support that LeBron had. Without the influence of the Walker family, LeBron may not have achieved the success he has today.
It is crucial to recognize that successful athletes often have a support system that aids their journey. LeBron James is no exception, and his story exemplifies the power of discipline, hard work, and a strong support network.
LeBron James and the Walker family remind us that success is not solely attributed to talent and hard work, but also the right support system. His path to becoming a superstar athlete and successful businessman was challenging, but the love and support from those around him made it possible.
