LeBron James has seldom shied away from highlighting his mother’s role in his life. “I was blessed with a God-given talent, and my mother raised me the right way,” according to LeBron. Even today, the 39-year-old maintains a close relationship with his mother Gloria James. He frequently highlights her warm and nurturing nature to the public. However, LeBron may not be ready to reveal another side of Gloria.

As Team USA kept progressing throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics, LeBron made himself available for a pre-recorded interview on ‘The Shop’ podcast. During the conversation, fellow guest and renowned Nigerian musician Tems  Openiyi confirmed that it was her mother who provided voiceovers for her recent ‘Born in the Wild’ album. This led her to reveal how she would often record her mother in secret, put her quotes in the album without telling her, and enjoy when she would find out for herself after listening to her daughter’s tracks. While something like this would be welcome at the Openiyi household, it was a completely different story for LeBron.

“If I could…. If I secret recorded my mom, I don’t know if I’ll be able to put it out. Some of the stuff she says….” said LeBron as the audience laughed. “No shot, no shot.”

‘Fiery Sass’ is a quality that is certainly not missing from the majority of members of the James household. From LeBron’s wife Savannah making fun of the player’s onesie by joking “You look like you’re about to bounce on up out of here” to the couple’s youngest son Bryce recently mocking his father by re-enacting the latter’s ‘Can’t Believe This is My Life’ meme, social media continues to highlight the fun side of the NBA All-Time Scorer’s loved ones. However, if Gloria James ever possessed a sassy side like her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, then it would certainly come as a surprise to even LeBron’s longtime fans.

To the outside world, LeBron James’s mother is the epitome of a sweet and caring individual. Having dubbed herself as the “Mother of the King”, she serves as the Vice President of the LeBron James Foundation, and does extensive work with the ‘I Promise’ school located in Akron. Her interviews have always had her come across as a soft-spoken person. However, when away from the cameras, no one would know better about what his mother is like than LeBron himself! Fiery-side or not, no one can deny that Gloria is a key member of the NBA star’s life. After all, you have to possess a certain kind of influence to even bring your grown-up son to tears.

Did Gloria make LeBron James almost shed happy tears over Bronny?

Except for LeBron, Bronny James has been the other member of the family on whom the spotlight has been shining the most. After his unfortunate cardiac arrest last year, the 19-year-old was not dissuaded from basketball and went on to play one season at the University of South Carolina. His son’s determination and his mother’s words wete enough to make LeBron emotional.

In January 2024, LeBron James took to his official X account to put out a tweet for his then 52.8 million followers. Through the same, he highlighted how, when watching one of Bronny’s games at USC, Gloria turned to him and said “You know how amazing this is!? Sitting here with my son while watching my grandson on TV. I feel so present and blessed.” While LeBron did not get weepy, he claimed that the words “almost brought me to tears just now.”

Amidst all the debates on whether Bronny has what it takes to make it big in the NBA, the James family has provided a united front. After her grandson was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, she highlighted a series of images of Bronny through an Instagram post. “I’ve seen him evolve into the admirable young man he is today, and I take immense pride and honor in being his grandmother,” she wrote.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.