It’s often said that behind every successful man is a strong woman, and this certainly rings true for LeBron James. After he and Team USA secured their Olympic victory, LeBron acknowledged that he wouldn’t be where he is today without the unwavering support of his wife, Savannah James.

“My wife handles everything, man,” LeBron remarked. “She’s incredible. Without her, I wouldn’t be in this position, able to pursue my passion for the game. I love it. Having her, my two boys, my daughter, and the rest of my family here means everything to me.”

Savannah deserves credit for encouraging LeBron to continue pursuing his basketball career, something not all spouses might do. There are many instances where athletes have retired early because their partners wanted them to spend more time at home. While such a request is understandable, this hasn’t been the case in the James household.

In fact, during a Beats commercial last year, Savannah encouraged LeBron to aim for playing alongside both Bronny and Bryce in the NBA. Bronny is now a Los Angeles Laker like his father, while Bryce is eligible to join the league in 2026.

Savannah appears supportive of LeBron playing for at least three more seasons, which is remarkable. Whether the 39-year-old will stay in the game that long remains to be seen, though Bryce doesn’t think his father will wait until he gets drafted before retiring.

Given LeBron’s passion for basketball, it seems likely he’ll continue playing as long as he can compete at a high level. The 20-time All-Star hasn’t shown signs of slowing down, and it’s easy to envision him remaining effective well into his 40s. With Savannah’s support, LeBron’s future in the game hinges on how well his body holds up.

During the Olympics, LeBron led Team USA to gold, averaging 14.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game in Paris. It was his third Olympic gold, and he earned MVP honors for the tournament. LeBron only committed to playing in the Olympics after Savannah gave her blessing, and USA Basketball likely owes much of their success to her, as they might not have won without LeBron.

LeBron James has often referred to Savannah as the real MVP, especially after becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He even said that she’s the true all-time scoring leader.

“My beautiful wife, she’s the real MVP, to be completely honest. She’s actually the all-time leading scorer.”

If LeBron believes this, who could argue? He has also expressed that his family is his ultimate starting five, acknowledging that he couldn’t perform on the court without their support. He recognizes the sacrifices they’ve made over the years, and it’s fair to say that his records are their records too.