Who is Anthony McClelland? Unveiling the complicated legacy of NBA legend LeBron James' alleged father

LeBron James is one of the most successful basketball players in the history of the big league, and the one person he gives credit to is his mother, Gloria James. But what about his father, and what relationship does the Lakers star have with his father? Anthony McClelland is believed to be the biological father of LeBron James.

Dad McClelland has a detrimental impact on LeBron James’ life that both the mother and son don’t like to talk about. James shares absolutely no bond with his dad; however, fans might have a keen interest in uncovering the mystery behind Anthony McClelland.

Who is LeBron James’ dad Anthony McClelland?

Anthony McClelland was born in the 1960s and is widely believed to be LeBron James’ biological dad. He had a casual relationship with Gloria James during the 1980s.

But right after, James was born, Anthony McClelland left him and his partner at that time and had no connection with them. He showed no interest when James was born and abandoned both. As a result, mother Gloria James had to raise her son, all by herself, with the help of LeBron James’ grandmother and maternal uncles.

However, three years after LeBron James was born, Anthony McClelland had another son, Aaron McClelland Gamble, with a different woman.

He is believed to be James’ half-brother.

LeBron James and his relationship with his dad Anthony McClelland

LeBron James has absolutely no bond with his father and doesn’t like to talk about him. Anthony McClelland had no responsibility or role to play in James’ upbringing. In a certain Instagram post, LeBron James wrote, “Because of you Pops! Thanks all along. Could have said why me with u not being there, but look what I made of myself.”

The Los Angeles Lakers legend initially hated his father for not being there, but he gradually understood him and was inspired to become a dad that his father could never be. “The crazy thing is, my whole life I grew up resenting my father. He is the reason I am the father I am today”, LeBron James said. “Because I always wanted to set an example and have the father figure in their lives so they never had that resentment”, he added further.

However, Anthony McClelland tried to connect with his son several years later, but LeBron James ignored all of it and didn’t want to build any connection with his dad. Also read: Who is LeBron James' mother Gloria James? Exploring everything about the woman who built her own legacy beyond the Los Angeles Lakers star