NBA superstar LeBron James recently offered a candid look into his relationship with his wife, Savannah James, specifically detailing what it felt like for the couple to move in together and welcome their first child at a remarkably young age.
LeBron, 40, made an appearance on the latest episode of the Everybody's Crazy podcast, which is co-hosted by Savannah, 39, and April McDaniel.
In an exclusive clip shared with PEOPLE, LeBron revealed that the experience of "having a baby at a young age and us moving in together... was definitely a monumental change for me."
He drew a contrast between their childhood environments: “My wife comes from a two-parent household and siblings in the house,” LeBron shared. “I didn't have that experience. I grew up with my mother and my uncles, and friends and people coming in and out. That’s what I grew up around. So, me truly settling down and deciding that she was going to be the only person in the house, giving her the key or the garage door code, that stuff was truly new.”
The basketball icon joined the podcast for the "Boyfriend Edition" episode, which serves as the kickoff for the show’s sixth season.
LeBron and Savannah, both natives of Akron, Ohio, have been together since high school. They welcomed their eldest son, LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., in October 2004, and officially tied the knot in September 2013. The couple now shares three children: Bronny (21), Bryce Maximus (18), and Zhuri Nova (10).
During their discussion, the couple explored how the differences in their upbringing shaped their relationship as they matured. Savannah was raised in a stable home with married parents and four siblings, whereas the future NBA legend was brought up by his single mother, Gloria James, without any siblings.
LeBron also reflected that growing up "in the projects in Akron, Ohio, and not having anything" instilled in him a deep "scarcity mindset" that he carries to this day.
“It's sometimes difficult for me to take significant risks,” the NBA star admitted, adding that he would be “devastated” if he ever had to start over financially.
He detailed his extremely cautious approach to wealth management: “I have friends who are more risk-takers and friends who are less. But for me, when I talk to my business partners, my financial advisors, my accountants, the first thing I told my financial advisor when he wanted to manage my money was: 'If you ever steal my money, or if I go broke, I’m letting you know, it won't end well for you.'"
He continued, “I swear to God, I am genuinely like that, because I cannot start over. There’s absolutely no way. None of us sitting here can start over. I’m not playing Monopoly here. I’m not starting back at, ‘Pass go and you collect $200 to start back at go,’ No, I’m too far along at this juncture.”
LeBron is currently entering his record-setting 23rd NBA season, amidst ongoing speculation that this may be the final year for the all-time scoring leader in the league.