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When asked to name his favorite female athlete, LeBron James was quick to respond. Without missing a beat, he said, “My favorite woman athlete of all time, besides my daughter? Zhuri Nova Ann-Marie James. I would say Serena Williams. So Serena Williams and Zhuri Nova.”
This heartwarming acknowledgment comes on the heels of a viral moment featuring his daughter, Zhuri. The ten-year-old captured the internet’s attention when she joined her father on the court before the Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Golden State Warriors on February 28. A clip showing Zhuri confidently dribbling and taking shots made the rounds on social media, sparking speculation among fans about whether she might pursue basketball like her famous father.
However, LeBron was quick to dispel any such rumors. “She’s a volleyball player, don’t get my wife mad,” he quipped, referring to his wife’s stance. “My wife is done with basketball; she’s done with it,” he added with a smile, clarifying that Zhuri’s future might lie in a different sport altogether.
But according to LeBron, that is not the plan.
“She’s a volleyball player, don’t get my wife mad,” he joked after the game. “My wife is done with basketball, she’s done with it.”
Savannah James posted on her IG story after LeBron’s viral comments about her being “done with basketball.” She addressed whether she would let Zhuri play like her brothers and dad: pic.twitter.com/6OBnpcZSnb
— Rishi Rajpoot (@rishhaayy) March 2, 2026
He continued, “[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.”
Zhuri is the youngest of LeBron and Savannah James’ three children. The couple also share sons Bronny and Bryce James, both of whom play basketball.
Bronny currently plays alongside his father for the Los Angeles Lakers, while Bryce is currently a freshman guard for the Arizona wildcats.
Zhuri, meanwhile, has competed in several AAU and regional volleyball events and trains with programs connected to City Volleyball Club, a Southern California organization known for producing players who continue on to the college level.
Earlier this month, LeBron shared a clip from one of her games on social media and wrote, “Let’s go Z!!!”
At about 5 foot 10 to 5 foot 11, she has already begun drawing attention from scouts who view her as a potential middle blocker or opposite hitter.