For decades, comparisons to Michael Jordan have followed only the greatest of athletes.
Among them, LeBron James has stood out as the defining figure of his generation, not only because of his achievements but because of the inspiration he drew from Jordan’s example.
LeBron James warms up with a golf swing six minutes before the game
Now, that same generational arc appears to be repeating itself, this time through LeBron James‘ young daughter, Zhuri James, and her admiration for A’ja Wilson.
The connection came into public view when LeBron James shared the impact A’ja Wilson has had on his family.
Speaking about the reigning WNBA superstar, he drew a direct parallel between his childhood hero and his daughter’s current role model.
“A’ja Wilson is the definition of female Black excellence. I am so grateful, she is giving my daughter the kind of inspiration that I got from Michael Jordan,” he said.
The comparison may appear striking, but it isn’t without merits. A’ja Wilson, the centerpiece of the Las Vegas Aces, put together one of the most dominant individual seasons basketball has ever seen.
She became the first player, across men’s or women’s professional basketball, to win a championship, scoring title, Finals MVP, league MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.
Hert rsum places her in rare historical company and elevates her status beyond statistics alone.
A legacy built on visibility and belief
When Gayle King relayed LeBron James‘ comments to A’ja Wilson, the moment resonated deeply.
Wilson’s response underscored why her influence extends far beyond the court.
“It’s the reason why I do what I do and I love what I do. People always ask me … It’s for the youth! It’s for that young girl to just give a chance to believe. And I always say, ‘if you can see her, you can be her,'” Wilson said.
She continued by emphasizing that inspiration, not accolades, defines true success. “That’s the real trophy. That’s the real championship ring. When you are able to leave that legacy for young boys and girls to just believe that they can do it their way,” she explained.
Wilson also rejected the notion that greatness must follow a certain mold, adding, “No, do it your way and I think that’s what kind of makes me go.”
Wilson’s impact has been widely recognized beyond the WNBA. She was recently named TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2025 and received the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year honor.
Her influence even reached Capitol Hill, where she was formally recognized on the House floor by Congresswoman Dina Titus.
For Zhuri James, seeing a figure like A’ja Wilson excel at the highest level provides a living example of possibility, much like Michael Jordan once did for her father.
For LeBron James, the moment represents something even more profound: the passing of inspiration from one generation to the next.
