"Not being around nobody doesn't help me at all" - LeBron James on why he’ll never return to the loneliness of his childhood

LeBron James aligned himself with a bunch of people on his way up ever since he made waves as a high school basketball phenom in Akron, Ohio. What many people do not know is that it was by choice and design, made by The Chosen One himself.

Early on, that circle started with his teammates at St. Vincent–St. Mary's, the tight-knit group that followed him into the national spotlight and eventually into different corners of his professional career.

Over time, that bond expanded to include Maverick Carter, who helped build LeBron's off-court empire and Rich Paul, the founder of Klutc h Sports Group, now one of the league's most powerful agents.

Solitude is never on the menu

Before the world knew who LBJ was, it was mostly just him and his mother, Gloria James, figuring things out in Akron. They lived with extended family from time to time, but more often than not, it was just the two of them, transferring from one place to another.

He never had a consistent father figure and he had no siblings he could lean on when times got rough. That experience taught Bron one thing: Solitude won't be on the menu ever again.

"I don't like being alone, you know. That's the one thing I don't really do," James bluntly stated on ESPN's "The Life" back in 2003. "I love people and me not being around nobody doesn't help me at all. I don't have nobody to relate to, then they going t o think I'm crazy if I'm talking to myself."

From that point onward, James made a point of keeping trusted people around him. Even when he appeared on that ESPN show, he was with his friends, including longtime confidant Randy Mims. Mims has been part of LBJ's day-to-day circle for years and, according to a 2025 ESPN article, has been his "co-pilot" for over two decades.

That thirst for camaraderie and companionship has carried over to the locker room in his highly successful NBA career. James has built a reputation for connecting easily with his teammates. Whether it was during his time in Cleveland, Miami, Los Angeles, or USA Basketball, players have spoken about how naturally he brings people t ogether.

"LeBron is the No. 1 camaraderie guy that I've ever been around on any level: high school, college, NBA, and I've played with Tim Duncan, Dirk, Jason Kidd, Steph Curry," former Cavs teammate Richard Jefferson said.

According to RJ, it's not uncommon for James to organize team-building activities, such as watching a Dave Chappelle or Kevin Hart comedy show or going to dinner. That's what he is about, and that's how he always will be.

LBJ will do whatever it takes to keep his family together

Time apparently did not change James' point of view. Twenty-two years after he shared his vulnerability on ESPN, he expressed the same sentiment on Savannah James' podcast "Everybody's Crazy."

"I know I don't want to be alone, that's for damn sure. If I got to fight, crawl, scratch, bite, whatever to keep mine, I got to keep it," James said. "I have to do w hat I have to do. I don't want to be alone. I'm an only child, single-parent household. I knew for sure. … when I got with 'Vannah, I was like: 'This s–t is crazy. This is amazing. I love this s–t. I'm like, nah, f–k that [being alone]. Next time I'm alone, I'll be underneath.'"

For James, keeping a circle close was never some branding exercise. It was a response to how he grew up and a promise to himself that the journey would never be a solo ride. More than two decades of his career and family life are not going to change and never will.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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"Not being around nobody doesn't help me at all" - LeBron James on why he’ll never return to the loneliness of his childhood

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