LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but his biological father, Anthony McClelland, remains a mystery. He left before LeBron could walk, and the two have never built any relationship. Anthony is a former high school basketball player from Akron, Ohio, who has stayed largely out of the public eye.
Reflecting on his mother's influence, LeBron told Today in 2024: "I always had that mother and father inside my mother, so I never was a kid that was kind of like, 'Where is my father?'"
Who Is Anthony McClelland?
LeBron's father, Anthony McClelland, was born in the 1960s in Ohio, United States. He is an American of African-American ethnicity. He had a brief relationship with Gloria Marie James in the 1980s, resulting in LeBron's birth. After LeBron was born, McClelland was absent, spending much of his time in prison for crimes like arson and theft. It is believed he changed his name from Roland Bivens after escaping jail.
LeBron does not seem to miss his father. In 2014, he wrote a message to McClelland thanking him for being absent, as reported by Sports Illustrated. The message read: "Like, 'Wow, Dad, you know what, I don't know you, I have no idea who you are, but because of you is part of the reason who I am today.' The fuel that I use—you not being there—it's part of the reason I grew up to become who I am. It's part of the reason why I want to be hands-on with my endeavours."
Who Raised LeBron James?
LeBron James was raised by his mother, Gloria James, who was just 16 when he was born. The early years were difficult, with scarce money and frequent moves. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica and reports on his Akron childhood, the family moved repeatedly through a string of apartments while Gloria worked to keep them afloat. LeBron has spoken about missing long stretches of school during that period.
Things steadied when the family settled into Spring Hill Apartments and Gloria's longtime partner, Eddie Jackson, stepped into a fatherly role. Jackson attended LeBron's youth games and became the man LeBron leaned on for guidance. Although Jackson served time for drug offences and later fraud, he is the figure LeBron has referred to as a dad far more readily than McClelland.
What Is Anthony McClelland's Age?
LeBron James' father's age is unknown, but he was born in the 1960s and is estimated to be in his sixties.
What Is Anthony McClelland's Height?
LeBron James' father's height is not known since he has largely lived a quiet life.
LeBron James' Dad's Ethnicity
Anthony McClelland is African-American, born and raised in Akron, Ohio. The recurring search query asking whether LeBron James' dad is Dominican has no support in any reliable reporting.
Who Is Aaron McClelland Gamble?
Aaron McClelland Gamble is the second son of Anthony McClelland from another relationship. He was born on 31 May 1987 in Akron, Ohio, and his zodiac sign is Gemini.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with LeBron's dad?
Anthony McClelland had a brief relationship with Gloria James in the early 1980s and left before LeBron James was born in December 1984. He played no part in raising LeBron. He reportedly tried to reconnect in 2002, but LeBron declined, and McClelland has since disappeared from public view.
Did LeBron James ever know his dad?
No, LeBron James never had a relationship with Anthony McClelland. He has described keeping his father "far, far away" and has said he does not know him, framing the absence as motivation rather than a bond.
Does LeBron James have a relationship with his dad?
No. There has never been a relationship between LeBron James and Anthony McClelland. The men he has treated as fathers are his stepfather figure, Eddie Jackson, and, in spirit, his tight circle of childhood friends, not his biological father.
Where is LeBron James' dad from?
Anthony McClelland is from Akron, Ohio, the same city where LeBron James was born and raised.
Is Anthony McClelland still alive?
His current whereabouts are unknown, and no credible outlet has reported on whether he is alive as of 2026. An unverified Akron obituary from 2024 circulates online but has not been confirmed to be him.
Is LeBron James' dad Dominican?
No, Anthony McClelland is African-American and from Ohio.
Was LeBron James' father an athlete?
Yes, he played basketball in high school but never played professionally.
Who raised LeBron James?
The NBA star was raised by his mother, Gloria James, who gave birth to him at 16. Her longtime partner, Eddie Jackson, served as a father figure during LeBron's youth.
LeBron James' dad is Anthony McClelland. He did not raise him and was out of his life soon after birth. Although it is alleged that he was in and out of jail, his current whereabouts are unknown.
