Joining the NBA is a dream for millions around the world. However, only a handful of college and foreign basketball stars make it into the league. As for LeBron James, he joined the league as an 18-year-old straight out of high school! This was an extraordinary feat in itself. Not only his basketball skills but James’ parenting also played a huge role in his success. The four-time NBA champion was taken care of by a second family who instilled some very important ethics in the young kid.

Talking with Dan Patrick, ESPN Insider Brian Windhorst recently talked about the time James moved in with the Walker family while in school. He had missed a number of school days in fourth grade. However, this completely changed thanks to his second family, who played a huge role in shaping James.

LeBron James’ second family shaped him into the man he is today

The life of a young LeBron James changed completely when he was in fourth grade. Prior to that year, he was moving a lot and missed a large number of school days. That’s when Frank and Pam Walker entered his life.

Frank Walker took Bron under his care, and they lived in a single-family apartment in Akron. Talking about the impact the Walkers had on James, Brian Windhorst divulged some details about the family.

Windhorst said, “You know, he had the family, Frank, and Pam Walker who took him in when he was in fifth grade. LeBron missed 100 days of school as a fourth grader, fifth grade had perfect attendance. Completely changed his life, the discipline, the puncuality. You want to piss LeBron off, be late to something. All of that came from that family and they were there.” 

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The Walkers had three children, and James shared a room with Frankie Walker, their son. Interestingly, King James and Frankie became the best of friends over the years.

James recounts his time with the Walkers as a turning point in life

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has had several important events in his life. However, he still feels moving in with the Walkers was the most important year of his life.

Whenever he gives a motivational talk or speech to students, he doesn’t talk about the time he made it into the NBA or his achievements in the league. Rather, he talks about that fateful day in fourth grade, which changed his life.

Moving in with the Walkers developed a sense of punctuality and discipline in King James. This eventually helped him achieve great longevity and become the NBA’s All-Time Top Scorer, alongside many other accolades.

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What is your favorite memory of LeBron James? Let us know in the comments down below.