Looks like the new season tipped off for the James household in perfect sync. LeBron made his long-awaited season debut against the Jazz on Tuesday, handled business, grabbed the win, nothing new there. And now? His daughter, Zhuri, seems to be matching her dad’s energy, stepping into her own “season opener.” Jersey on, game face locked in, ball in hand… except plot twist: it’s not a basketball.

Savannah James took to Instagram with the proud-mom glow turned all the way up, announcing that Zhuri is officially kicking off her volleyball season. Her caption said it all: “Volleyball SZN 🏐💙 Let’s go baby!!💪🏾” The reel gave fans a sweet behind-the-scenes peek: Zhuri posing for her poster shots, grinning from ear to ear in her blue No. 6 jersey, looking every bit the star of her own show. And cheering her on from the comments? None other than A’ja Wilson, dropping in with “💙🩵” like the ultimate stamp of approval.

LeBron James has never hidden his affection for A’ja Wilson, often calling her “sister.” When Wilson and her Aces captured the season, LeBron celebrated on Instagram Story: “@mrs_savannahrj & I watching our game bring it home again!!!! CONGRATULATIONS SIS!! @aja22wilson 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🏆,” a big brother-level, all-in celebration. Now, with Zhuri stepping onto the volleyball court, Wilson didn’t miss her chance to step into full ‘aunt mode,’ cheering her niece on with the same pride and energy.

Zhuri James isn’t new to the volleyball scene; she joined the City Volleyball Club in 2023, steadily refining her skills and soaking up every drill and practice. City Volleyball Club itself is all about community, empowerment, and building young women who support each other on and off the court. But every time she steps on the court, it’s a moment for her proud dad, LeBron, to soak in. 

Talking about the joy his kids bring him, LeBron James once told Access Hollywood, “My daughter is the greatest thing in my life, along with my boys. So whenever she smiles, it don’t matter what I’m doing, it makes me happy.” For a superstar used to chasing championships, it turns out Zhuri’s grin is just as victorious. 

Back in December 2024, LeBron shared a new batch of photos of 10-year-old Zhuri in her volleyball gear, snapping shots with her teammates. His caption? Pure dad energy: “🥰🥰😍😍🤎🤎🤎 YOU GO GIRL!!!!!! @allthingszhuri LET’S GO BABY Z!! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾. Best of luck this season and GO CRAZY!! 🏐👋🏾. #JamesGang👑”

Every post, every cheer, every shout in the stands, he’s living the full dad experience. And Zhuri’s nod to her dad is subtle but priceless—her jersey number, 6, mirrors LeBron’s own iconic number from Miami Heat, Team USA (including last summer’s Paris gold), and a brief stint with the Lakers.

In 2023, LeBron even shared footage from one of her games, hollering from the stands, “Let’s go, munchkin!”

Is Zhuri following A’ja Wilson’s path?

Before A’ja Wilson was rewriting the history books in basketball, becoming the only player in NBA or WNBA history to win a scoring title, Finals MVP, regular-season MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year all in the same season (2025), she had a different first love: volleyball. Back in her Highlanders days, she did it all. “Volleyball was my first love,” Wilson said, and it showed. She dominated as a middle blocker, patrolled the net like it was her own backyard, and blasted high sets with her left arm like it was second nature. 

Fast forward a few years, and Wilson has cemented her GOAT status at age 29, stacking up championships (2022, 2023), Finals MVPs, and scoring titles while dazzling fans across the basketball league. Maybe Zhuri James is taking a tiny peek down that path herself. In June, Zhuri stepped onto the volleyball court rocking two of Wilson’s signature Nike A’One sneakers at once, one in “Pink Aura,” the other “Indigo Girl” blue, channeling a little bit of that Aces magic while just having fun with a new sport.

Or maybe she’s just enjoying it. Zhuri’s still very little, still figuring out if volleyball is her jam or if she wants to try something else entirely. For now, it’s all about having fun, experimenting, and laughing through it, just like A’ja did back in the day, before the WNBA came calling.