When LeBron James opened up about growing up without a father: "Why didn't my dad want to be around?"

In February 2014, LeBron James posted an Instagram message to his father, telling him that his absence is "part of the reason who I am today."

Six months later, Rachel Nichols asked James what made him decide to post that message on social media. Struggling to find the right words to explain himself, the then-Cleveland Cavaliers star responded by asking more questions.

"I don't know, but it's the truth," said LeBron. "My whole life, growing up, I just kinda always say, 'Why me? Why didn't my dad want to be around?' I feel like I'm a pretty cool kid, a good kid. So why wouldn't he want to be around for me?"

Who is LeBron's father?

The identity of Bron's biological father has never been confirmed. Some say his dad was Roland Bivins, a high school basketball star at Akron Central. Others argue that it is Anthony McClelland, a man who was said to have a casual relationship with Gloria. Conspiracy theorists even say that Bivins and McClelland are the same person.

"And as I got older, and I got to have my own family, I start to think, you know, the reason he wasn't there is the reason why I became so strong mentally, so loving to my mother," added James.

The ultimate family man

Fast forward to 2024, and the Kid from Akron is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and arguably the greatest player in basketball history. He is also a father to three kids and a loving husband to Savannah Brinson.

Just recently, James, at 39, won MVP honors at the 2024 Paris Olympics. When asked what keeps him going at an elite level at such a late age, LeBron talked about family .

"It means everything. It's why I do it. I do it for my family," James said to Andscape. "My wife takes care of the business, man. She's the best. Without her, I wouldn't even be in this position to be able to do what I do and love the game. I love it. So, to have my wife and my two boys and my daughter here and the rest of my family here, it was everything."

For all the criticism he receives as a basketball player, LeBron's haters haven't found anything negative in his personal life to talk about. Despite being one of the most iconic athletes in the world, James has done everything to keep his family together.