In many ways, LeBron James is the rarest of NBA superstars. Still going strong at age 40, playing in a league to which he has dedicated more than half his life, James has won four NBA championships while avoiding many of the off-court controversies that have plagued other stars of his generation.

LeBron‘s loving, nurturing, and long-lasting relationship with Savannah James has been a hallmark of his one-of-a-kind NBA career. LeBron and Savannah were high school sweethearts in Ohio, and one celebrity fan of the Los Angeles Lakers thinks that the strength of the James family bond is underdiscussed when LeBron’s legacy is debated.

Sharpe credits Savannah for LeBron’s long and fruitful career

Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Shannon Sharpe believes Savannah has earned enormous credit for her patience and understanding throughout LeBron’s lengthy and celebrated career. She has stood by Bron‘s side as he changed teams multiple teams, and she had a moment of pride as Bron and Bronny James shared the court together on opening night of the 2024/25 NBA season.

“You can’t have chaos in your personal life and think there’s gonna be serenity on the court, Ocho,” Sharpe told former NFL star Chad Johnson on their “Nightcap” podcast. “You gotta have peace at home in order to have peace on the court.”

That “peace on the court” is exemplified by the NBA records LeBron holds. He is the league’s all-time leader in minutes played and points scored — and after scoring 17 points in the Lakers‘ 108-102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, LeBron is now a single point from reaching 50,000 points between the regular season and the playoffs. He should reach the milestone on Tuesday, when the Lakers host the New Orleans Pelicans.