LeBron James is an NBA superstar, but did you know that the basketball legend is off the market? James met his wife, Savannah Brinson, in high school when she was 16 and he was 17.
They attended rival high schools in Ohio, and James made the first move by asking for Brinson’s number through a mutual friend. Brinson played hard to get and decided to get his number so she could have the relationship on her terms.
LeBron James, Savannah Brinson, and their daughter Zhuri Nova James attend the Premiere of Warner Bros “Space Jam: A New Legacy” at Regal LA Live on July 12, 2021, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: DFree / Shutterstock)
She told Cleveland magazine, “One day I’m sitting around—I was probably bored or something—and I’m like, ‘Oh, I forgot! I have this number for this guy that I can call. He seemed interested, so let’s see.” James was definitely interested because not long after that call the two started dating. They even attended each other’s proms.
Brinson stood by James throughout his basketball career, and together, they started a family. In 2004, while James was still a rookie in the NBA and Brinson was finishing high school, they welcomed their first child, LeBron James Jr. Three years later, the couple celebrated the birth of their second son, Bryce Maximus.
LeBron James, his wife Savannah, and their children Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri attend the premiere of Smallfoot at Regency Village Theatre in Westwood, California on September 22, 2018 (Credit: Milla Cochran / Startraksphoto)
James and Brinson, then 28 and 27, respectively, finally married in 2013 after being engaged for almost two years.
It was a dream come true for James, who shared in an Instagram post, “When you have someone that’s always there for you no matter the ups and downs in life, it makes it all worth living for!” In 2014, they welcomed their third child, a daughter named Zhuri.
While the pair seems rock solid, there have been times over the years when it seems that things haven’t always been sunshine and rainbows. Video model Carmen Ortega claims she and James exchanged messages and went out on a date in 2013, not long before he married Brinson.
LeBron James and Savannah Brinson met in high school and have been married since 2013 despite numerous cheating rumors (Credit: Humberto Carreno / Startraksphoto)
Ortega claimed James lied about his relationship with Brinson but also said their relationship never became physical. It was also rumored that James cheated on his wife in 2020 with model and media personality Sofia Jamora.
He’s also been linked to unconfirmed cheating rumors with Meagan Good, Adrienne Bailon, and Haitian-American fitness model Hencha Voight. Despite numerous cheating rumors, James and Savannah have remained strong and committed to their relationship.
In June 2022, the pair attended a Netflix premiere for the film ‘Hustle’ which James co-produced with Adam Sandler. The movie follows a former basketball scout who attempts to revive his career by recruiting a basketball player from overseas to the NBA.
LeBron James and Savannah James pose in stylish outfits at the Netflix world premiere of Hustle—LeBron in a suede jacket and sneakers, while Savannah stuns in a brown leather bustier and checkered trousers on June 1, 2022, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Faye’s Vision/Cover Images / INSTARimages)
Savannah looked beautiful in a brown leather bustier with black and white, high-waisted checkered pants. She completed the look with a white blazer draped over her shoulders, brown open-toe pumps, a few bracelets, and a thin necklace.
James wore a black T-shirt, black pants, a brown corduroy jacket, and sunglasses. At just 5’7″ (170 cm), she looked tiny next to her husband, who stood at 6′ 9″ (206 cm), though LeBron James is much shorter than Shaquille O’Neal.
The pair stood close by each other’s sides on the blue carpet, posing for pictures. Both of them looked happy and relaxed.
LeBron and Savannah James look effortlessly chic at the Netflix premiere of Hustle, with LeBron in a suede jacket and Savannah in a sleek brown leather bustier (Credit: Faye’s Vision/Cover Images / INSTARimages)
In April 2024, Savannah James and her longtime friend April McDaniel launched the podcast Everybody’s Crazy, where they dive into candid conversations about life, relationships, and personal growth.
Outside of work responsibilities, the pair raises three kids and enjoys the perks of parenthood. After their second son was born, LeBron spoke with Oprah Winfrey about being a father and a well-known basketball star.
“They don’t know if I missed the last three shots to win the game or if I turned the ball over. All they know is they see their daddy coming out of the locker room and they are ready to play.”
Savannah shared similar sentiments about parenthood with WKYC and seeing their parenting skills pay off.
“You think you’re talking until you’re blue in the face, but then when you actually turn around on the other side and you see, that they’re actually picking up on those things that you’re telling them. It’s amazing.”
NBA player LeBron James and his girlfriend Savannah Brinson arrive at the 2013 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 17, 2013, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: Sara De Boer / Startraksphoto)
They’re even starting to consider the possibility of their sons pursuing basketball careers in their dad’s footsteps.
Their oldest son, LeBron “Bronny” Jr., was selected 55th overall by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA draft. Their younger son, Bryce, made headlines for sinking his first slam dunk with his dad watching from the stands.
LeBron says his kids are not pressured to play basketball if they don’t want to. But with their father making it look so enjoyable, it’s no surprise they both took up the game.