For LeBron James, the drive to compete has always come from within. But now, as his children carve their own paths in sports, he is discovering a new kind of motivation-one that comes from watching them find their own fire.
Speaking on the Mind The Game podcast with Kevin Durant and Steve Nash, the 40-year-old NBA legend shared a deeply personal view of how fatherhood has shaped his outlook as he nears the twilight of his playing career.
In particular, it is his youngest, Zhuri James, who is beginning to catch his eye on the court, though not in basketball.
At just 10 years old, Zhuri is already competing in the 12-and-under youth volleyball division, and according to LeBron, she is holding her own.
“I look at it. I was having my two boys that played basketball or whatever, and my daughter’s playing volleyball right now. She’s 10 and she’s playing 12 youth volleyball,” he said.
“So you could just see the difference in like two years. It could be 18 months. You see the difference – shorter, not as strong, not as fast, can’t jump as high. So as those things continue to mold and get better, and you start seeing your body transition.”
He continued, “The only thing that matters the most early on is that you want to do it, and you’ve got to love to do it. You gotta love it because that’s gonna keep you coming back.”
Zhuri’s talent, Bronny’s development, and a legacy beyond the court
While Zhuri is developing quickly in her own sport, LeBron’s sons are forging their paths on the hardwood.
Bronny James is entering his second year with the Los Angeles Lakers, following a rookie campaign where he played in 27 games and saw most of his action in the G League. Bryce James, meanwhile, continues to rise as a high school prospect.
But it is Zhuri‘s progression that seems to have caught her father’s imagination recently, as he watches her keep pace with older, stronger athletes and begin to understand what it means to compete with purpose.
That same spark appears to be pushing LeBron to reflect on his own future. Though he has not publicly committed to retirement, conversations around his post-playing life are surfacing more frequently.
In a lighthearted moment on the podcast, he even imagined a future headline that would one-up two of the greatest scoring feats in NBA history.
“I can’t wait to hold up the sign with my grandkids that I scored 101 points in the game before. Matter of fact, we should take it right now so I can just hold it up… I’ll pass Kobe,” he joked.
That comment referenced Kobe Bryant’s iconic 81-point performance against Toronto in 2006 and Wilt Chamberlain‘s legendary 100-point night in 1962.
While LeBron‘s remark was said with a grin, it echoed the ambition that has defined his career from day one.
Even as his body ages and his role begins to shift, the competitive fire still burns-and now, it is shared by the next generation.
As his children grow, LeBron seems to be embracing the idea that legacy is not only built through points and records, but also through presence.
Whether it is courtside at Zhuri‘s volleyball matches or mentoring Bronny through the NBA grind, LeBron is setting a standard that extends far beyond the stat sheet.
From chasing titles to cheering on his children, the James family’s story continues to evolve.
And if one day LeBron does hold up that 101-point sign for real, or even just for fun, it will be a moment shaped as much by family pride as personal greatness.
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