The James family legacy is usually framed through basketball. That expectation follows every member of the household, whether they ask for it or not. This time, however, the spotlight moved somewhere else. And once again, LeBron James made sure the moment did not go unnoticed.
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While Bronny and Bryce continue along the basketball pipeline, LeBron’s youngest child is carving out a very different identity. Zhuri Nova James, now 11, has committed herself to volleyball. And every step of that journey has been met with visible pride from her father.
LeBron has repeatedly used social media to highlight Zhuri’s progress on the volleyball court, reinforcing the same message each time. Her sport may be different, but the support remains just as loud. That distinction matters. Zhuri is not an extension of the family’s basketball brand. She is building something that belongs to her alone.
Zhuri’s choice is not an anomaly among NBA families. Several daughters of league icons have gravitated toward volleyball rather than basketball. Riley Curry has played club volleyball. Kapri Garnett committed to play collegiately. Natalia Bryant also played the sport during her high school years.
The difference is visibility. While many families keep those moments private, LeBron has consistently chosen to amplify Zhuri’s accomplishments, turning her growth into a shared celebration rather than a quiet footnote.
Why Zhuri changed everything for Savannah James
Zhuri’s impact on the family stretches beyond sports. After her birth in 2014, Savannah James made a firm decision about her future. She later revealed that Zhuri was the moment she knew her childbearing years were over.
Speaking on Everybody’s Crazy, Savannah explained how direct she was with LeBron. “That was it. So, sir, I’m telling you right now, yeah, this is it for me. I’m done. My child-years is over. So, I hope you’re alive. Yeah, I was very firm in that.” The conversation did not stop there. Savannah admitted that later discussions around medical options and long-term planning became uncomfortable.
“That was one of the conversations that did come up, is like, do I save some of him just in case? I was offended. What the f— do you mean? I said I’m not having. That was a very uncomfortable conversation.” The exchange underscored how deeply Zhuri’s arrival shaped the family’s trajectory.
Zhuri James is not following a script. She is not stepping into basketball because of expectation, branding, or lineage. She is choosing volleyball because it is hers. LeBron’s reaction tells the rest of the story. The loud encouragement, the public pride, and the constant reinforcement all point to the same conclusion. This legacy is no longer just about continuing something. It is about allowing something new to grow.