LeBron James has four NBA rings, but honestly, he seems more proud of a blue-and-yellow varsity jacket.
Just a few weeks ago, specifically on January 4, 2026, the world’s most famous basketball player walked through the Crypto.com Arena tunnel looking like a high-fashion streetwear icon. When the cameras swiveled toward him, he didn't credit a world-class stylist or a luxury brand. He pointed at his clothes and told the team cameras, "This is courtesy of Zhuri Nova Ann Marie James."
She’s 11.
The internet went into a predictable meltdown. But if you've been paying attention to LeBron James with daughter Zhuri over the last decade, that moment wasn't a surprise. It was just another Tuesday in the "James Gang" household. While Bronny and Bryce are busy navigating the heavy-duty pressure of the basketball world, Zhuri is out here essentially running her dad’s life—and he’s clearly obsessed with it.
The Girl Dad Shift: How Zhuri Changed the King
There is a specific kind of "Girl Dad" energy that LeBron radiates. You've seen it. It’s the vibe of a 6'9", 250-pound man who can stare down the toughest defenders in the league but turns into absolute mush the second his youngest child looks at him.
LeBron has been very open about how his approach to parenting changed when Zhuri arrived in 2014. Before her, it was all about the boys. It was about toughness, basketball, and carrying the "James" mantle. Then came the girl.
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In a 2021 interview with Access Hollywood, LeBron admitted that Zhuri is "the greatest thing" in his life. He’s mentioned before that while he had to find ways to "tap into" each of his kids differently—using a sort of coaching psychology—Zhuri required a completely different gear. It’s less about the "climbing rope" metaphor he uses with his sons and more about being a present, protective anchor.
The Style Consultant Role
Let’s talk about that varsity jacket again. For the Lakers vs. Grizzlies game in early 2026, Zhuri didn't just pick a shirt. She curated a whole vibe:
- A blue-and-yellow varsity jacket.
- Light-washed denim.
- Dark brown Nike sneakers.
- A chunky white beanie and gold-framed glasses.
It was a "varsity-cool" aesthetic that proved the 11-year-old has a better eye for silhouette than most professional influencers. LeBron didn't just wear it; he paraded it. He posted to his Instagram story with the caption, "My princess took care of me."
Why the Volleyball Court Is the New "Staples Center"
If you think the only sport the James family cares about is basketball, you're living in 2010. Zhuri has carved out her own niche in the world of volleyball.
LeBron is a regular at her games with the City Volleyball Club. He’s that dad. The one shouting "Let's go, baby Z!!!" from the sidelines. There’s a hilarious video from late 2023 where he’s screaming "Let's go, Munchkin!" while Zhuri gives him the ultimate "Dad, stop it" side-eye from the court.
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He loves it.
Even in 2026, as he balances the twilight of his NBA career and the historic reality of playing alongside Bronny, he still makes it a point to hit those travel league tournaments in California. He’s literally said on the Mind the Game podcast that he spends his off-seasons in "a lot of gyms" watching her play. It’s a groundedness you don't expect from a billionaire athlete.
The "All Things Zhuri" Brand
She isn't just a kid in the background. Zhuri has been a brand since she was five. Her YouTube channel, All Things Zhuri, has hundreds of thousands of subscribers and millions of views. She’s done:
- Natural hair tutorials with her mom, Savannah.
- Baking challenges where LeBron usually ends up looking confused but supportive.
- DIY crafts that show off a creative side none of the men in the family seem to possess.
While LeBron and Savannah manage her socials—because let’s be real, the internet is a weird place—they’ve allowed her to build a persona that is entirely separate from "LeBron’s kid." She’s funny, charismatic, and has a way of cutting through her father’s "King" persona.
The Viral Moments That Define the Bond
Remember the 2023 ESPYs? Savannah was giving a heartfelt speech about LeBron being the "baddest mother—" and Zhuri, just eight years old at the time, immediately cut her off with a sharp "Mom, no!"
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That’s the dynamic.
She is the family's internal regulator. She keeps the ego in check. Whether it’s cringing at LeBron’s "peak dad" dancing during a Team USA volleyball match at the Paris Olympics or styling his tunnel walks, she is the one person LeBron James truly answers to.
A Protector’s Stance
It’s not all jokes and fashion, though. LeBron has used his platform to speak on how having a daughter changed his worldview on everything from women’s rights to political safety. Following the 2024 election, he posted a deeply personal photo of him holding Zhuri, promising to "protect her with everything I have."
It was a rare moment of vulnerability. It showed that for LeBron, the world is a different place because she’s in it. He isn't just playing for legacy anymore; he’s playing—and living—to build a world that’s safe for her.
How to Apply the "James Gang" Parenting Philosophy
You don't need a $100 million contract to parent like LeBron. Here is what we can actually learn from how he handles his relationship with Zhuri:
- Listen to the individual, not the blueprint. LeBron treats Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri like three completely different people. He doesn't force the boys’ training regimen on his daughter.
- Show up for the "small" stuff. If a billionaire can find time to sit in a sweaty high school gym for a volleyball tournament, most of us can make the school play.
- Let them take the lead. Letting an 11-year-old pick your outfit for work is a masterclass in building a child's confidence. It tells them their taste and opinion actually matter to you.
- Be the "Munchkin" Dad. Don't be afraid to be the embarrassing parent. The "side-eye" your kids give you is actually a sign of a healthy, secure attachment.
What really matters here is the shift in perspective. LeBron is a guy who spent decades being the center of the universe. Watching him willingly become a secondary character in Zhuri’s world is probably the most impressive thing he’s done in his career. It’s not about the points on the board; it’s about being the guy who lets his daughter pick his shoes.