As LeBron James and his wife, Savannah James, watch Bronny James begin his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Savannah credits the Cleveland Cavs for the longevity of their relationship. After growing up in Akron, Ohio, the couple still wonder if their relationship could have withstood another team drafting LeBron at No. 1. On a recent episode of Savannah’s “Everybody’s Crazy Podcast,” she talked about how the Cavs selected James as the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, strengthening their relationship.
“Obviously, LeBron got drafted to Cleveland when we was younger, and I’m from Akron — I’m from 30 minutes down the road — but I don’t know,” she said. “If I had to ask him if he was sittin’ here…I think that he would say the same in, like, ‘I don’t know what would have happened.’ So, thanks, Cleveland Cavaliers.”
Going straight from high school into the NBA, there’s no telling if LeBron and Savannah could have survived a long-distance relationship, and perhaps neither could have anticipated becoming parents in 2004 when Bronny was born ahead of James’ second season with the Cavs.
“We’ve talked about this a lot,” Savannah added. “So, thanks, guys [Cavs]. But we’ll never know.”
LeBron and Savannah have been together since 2002. The couple married in 2013 and share three children, including sons Bronny and Bryce and daughter Zhuri.
Savannah James speaks up on Bronny James’ health scare
David Richard-Imagn Images
When Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest in 2023, many wondered if the health scare would eventually prevent LeBron James’ son from beginning an NBA career. After being treated for a congenital heart defect, James returned to USC for his collegiate debut. Bronny’s mother, Savannah James, opened up recently about an ‘emotional moment’ she had over the summer in an episode of her “Everybody’s Crazy Podcast.”
Savannah admits that watching her son recover to finish his lone season with USC before being drafted by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft drove her to tears.
“I had a moment yesterday, which wasn’t crazy, it was just an emotional moment,” Savannah said. “I watched my boy do something that is — I’m just so proud. I’m so proud. I would say that’s the craziest thing ’cause I didn’t see it coming. It just hit me.”
The Lakers selected Bronny James with the No. 55 pick in the second round of this year’s draft. He and LeBron, entering his 22nd season, are the first father-son duo in NBA history.
