Once upon a time, King James was facing a tough situation as he was homeless and struggling to find his footing in life. Despite having his mother, Gloria, as a constant support system, James needed all the help he could gather to reach where he is today in his personal and professional life. During those days, Gloria had recently left her job and the family was surviving on welfare. It was challenging to sustain two individuals’ lives in suburban Akron with limited resources. Although technically not adopted, there were foster figures who played a crucial role in molding LeBron James into the superstar he is today.
At the outset, Bruce Kelker was the one and only person in James’s life, and then it was the Walker clan who took up residence in Akron’s suburbs. As fate would have it, Bruce came into the picture just as James was starting to explore the world of competitive sports, and it wasn’t long before he showed the world his otherworldly athletic abilities.
Kelker was on the lookout for a potential football prodigy when he stumbled upon the remarkable talent of LeBron James. This marked the beginning of a close bond between Kelker and James, which even resulted in James and his mother living with Kelker for a brief period. However, Kelker’s inability to support himself posed a challenge for James and he had to seek refuge with the generous Walker family. Frankie Walker, who is regarded as James’s mentor, played a pivotal role in shaping his upbringing. Despite initially being a football player, James’s skills were honed under the guidance of the Walkers, with whom he resided. James’s roommate during this time was Walker Jr. and it was during this phase that James’s potential as a global superstar began to surface.
James and Walker Jr. were teammates in a football team from Akron, but their friendship goes beyond their hometown and remains strong to this day. In fact, Walker Jr. is one of James’ business partners, showcasing his gratitude towards those who helped him during his rise to fame. During the football offseason, James lived with the Walkers, where he found an interest in basketball, leading to significant changes in the sport’s landscape. Frank Walker taught James the basics of basketball, including dribbling and making layups, laying the foundation for what would become a legendary career in the NBA.
The Walkers went above and beyond by not only adopting James but also providing him with a childhood free from the anonymity that often comes with extreme poverty. Their compassionate act has resulted in the world being able to witness one of the most gifted athletes in history.
