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LeBron James Says Daughter Zhuri Won’t Be Playing Basketball Unlike Her Brothers

His wife Savannah is “done with basketball,” so Zhuri will focus on volleyball.
LeBron James says his daughter Zhuri won’t be playing basketball.
LeBron James says his daughter Zhuri won’t be playing basketball. | NBA/Screengrab

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LeBron James was joined by his 11-year-old daughter Zhuri during the Lakers’ road game against the Warriors on Saturday, marking the first time she’s attended an away game of James’s other than the All-Star Game. It understandably meant a great deal to the 41-year-old.

Zhuri went viral before the game as she was seen practicing some handles courtside. This made NBA fans wonder, will Zhuri be the next great James basketball player?

James quickly shut down that possibility in his post-game interview, jokingly explaining that his wife Savannah is “done with basketball” because of his long career and both of his sons, Bronny and Bryce, competing in the sport. His daughter will focus on volleyball, which she’s already proven to be a young talent in.

“She’s a volleyball player, don’t get my wife mad. My wife is done with basketball, she’s done with it,” James said, sparking laughter from reporters. “[Zhuri’s] a volleyball player, but she’s been around the game for a while, so she does got good handles and she’s good form, too. But, my wife ain’t playing that. Not another one. She says that’s it.”

So, there likely won’t be a WNBA star in our midst from the James family.

But, maybe basketball fans will start to see Zhuri on the sidelines at James’s games more, especially as his career winds down. James hasn’t made any official announcements about retirement, but it’s widely believed that his career will come to a close within the next few years. He’s already playing in his record-breaking 23rd season.


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Madison Williams
MADISON WILLIAMS

Madison Williams is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where she specializes in tennis but covers a wide range of sports from a national perspective. Before joining SI in 2022, Williams worked at The Sporting News. Having graduated from Augustana College, she completed a master’s in sports media at Northwestern University. She is a dog mom and an avid reader.

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