Many people know LeBron James as one of the best basketball players in the world. But not everyone knows the story of his father, Anthony McClelland. His name comes up often because fans want to understand who he was and why he was never around.
Anthony McClelland is a quiet and mysterious figure. There is very little information about him, and most people only know his name because of LeBron. Still, his story played a big part in how LeBron grew up and became the person he is today.
In this article, we will look at everything we know about Anthony McClelland in very simple words. We will talk about his life, his past, his choices, and how his absence shaped LeBron.So let’s get started.
Anthony McClelland Profile Summary
| Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anthony McClelland |
| Known For | Being LeBron James’ biological father |
| Born | 1960s |
| Birthplace | Akron, Ohio, USA |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Height | About 6 ft 4 in |
| Children | Two (LeBron James, Aaron McClelland Gamble) |
| Relationship With LeBron | No relationship at all |
| Criminal Record | In and out of prison for theft, arson, and other crimes |
| Second Name (Rumored) | Roland Bivens / Roland Biven |
| Current Status | Unknown (no confirmed details) |
Who Is Anthony McClelland?
Anthony McClelland is widely believed to be the biological father of LeBron James. He was born in the 1960s in Akron, Ohio, and grew up in the same city where LeBron was later born. He was an African-American man with dark hair and dark eyes.
Even though his name is known today, he never lived a public life. Most people only heard about him because he walked away before LeBron was born. There is no clear record of his job, his education, or his family background. Almost everything about him is quiet or hidden.
Many reports also mention another name linked to him — “Roland Bivens” or “Roland Biven.” Some people believe he used this name at one point. This made his story even more confusing because no one knows which parts are true or what really happened.
What people do know for sure is that he was not present in LeBron’s life. He did not call, visit, or support him in any way. His absence created many questions but very few answers, and that is why his story still interests many people today.
Anthony McClelland Early Life & Family
Very little is known about Anthony McClelland’s early life. He grew up in Akron, but no one has shared clear details about his childhood. There are no records of him being close to a big family or having a stable home when he was young.
Because information about him is limited, people believe he may have faced problems early in life. These struggles may have shaped his choices later, especially when it came to staying away from responsibility. His life showed signs of trouble for many years.
What we do know is that he fathered two children. His first child was LeBron James, born in 1984. His second child was Aaron McClelland Gamble, born in 1987 to another woman. Both children grew up without him and lived completely separate lives.
Even though he had two sons, Anthony never built a bond with either of them. Both children were raised by their mothers, and he played no part in their daily lives. This made his relationship with them almost impossible to understand or explain.
Short Relationship With Gloria James
When Anthony McClelland met Gloria James, both were very young. Their relationship did not last long. It was a short and simple teenage connection, not a serious or long-term partnership. But during this time, Gloria became pregnant with LeBron.
Gloria was only 16 years old when she gave birth. She was still a child herself, trying to understand life. Anthony, however, refused to take responsibility. Instead of helping her, he walked away and left Gloria alone to raise their son.
Life was very hard for Gloria. She had no partner, no support, and almost no money. She moved often and tried to give LeBron everything she could. Even though things were tough, she loved her son deeply and worked hard to keep going.
Anthony never came back to help. He never offered support, never visited, and never tried to be a father. His choice to leave shaped the future of both Gloria and LeBron. It also became one of the biggest reasons people still talk about him today.
Anthony McClelland and His Son LeBron James
Anthony McClelland is known most of all because he is believed to be the biological father of LeBron James. But he was never part of LeBron’s life. He walked away before LeBron was born and never returned to help or support him in any way.
LeBron grew up with his mother, Gloria, and faced many hard moments without a father. Still, he used this pain to become strong. He often says that Anthony’s absence pushed him to work harder, make better choices, and be a loving father to his own children.
Even though Anthony McClelland never acted as a father, his choices shaped LeBron’s early life. LeBron learned strength, discipline, and focus from growing up without him. This is why their story is still discussed today, even after so many years.
Anthony McClelland Life in Prison
One major reason Anthony McClelland was not part of LeBron’s life was his long history of crime. Many reports show that he was in and out of prison for years. His crimes included theft, arson, and other charges that kept him behind bars many times.
Because he spent so much of his life in jail, he never built a stable home or a normal life. This made it even harder for him to be involved in LeBron’s childhood. His choices kept him far away, and he never tried to fix the distance he created.
Some stories say that he may have used another name — “Roland Bivens.” There are rumors that this man died in a drive-by shooting in 1994. Some claim Anthony used this name to avoid more legal trouble. But none of these stories have been proven.
What is clear is that Anthony tried to reconnect with LeBron in 2002. But LeBron refused. By that time, the damage was already done. LeBron had grown up without him and had no interest in building a relationship with a man he never knew.
Anthony’s Second Son: Aaron McClelland Gamble
Anthony McClelland also had another son named Aaron McClelland Gamble. Aaron was born in 1987, three years after LeBron. He was also born in Akron, Ohio, and grew up in the same city. But just like with LeBron, Anthony was never part of Aaron’s life.
Aaron lived a quiet and simple life with his mother. He did not grow up rich or famous, and he stayed far away from the spotlight. He later worked as a church musician and kept a low profile. He did not try to connect with LeBron, and LeBron never spoke about him publicly.
Even though they share the same father, Aaron and LeBron do not have a relationship. They grew up in different homes, with different families, and without any bond. Anthony McClelland’s absence affected both sons in different ways, and neither of them had a chance to grow up knowing each other.
Did Anthony Play Basketball?
Many people wonder if Anthony McClelland ever played basketball. This question comes up mostly because Anthony was tall, around 6 feet 4 inches. This is a height that many basketball players have, so it made people curious about his past.
Some reports say that Anthony played basketball in the neighborhood when he was young. These were simple, casual games, not professional matches. There is no record of him playing in any school team or any real league. Nothing has been confirmed, so these stories remain small rumors.
Still, these small stories add a little mystery to his life. People like to compare their height and imagine that maybe some part of LeBron’s talent came from Anthony. But there is no proof of this. LeBron’s success came from his own hard work, strength, and dedication.
Where Is Anthony McClelland Today?
One of the biggest questions about Anthony McClelland is where he is now. The truth is simple: no one really knows. There are no public updates about him, no photos, no records, and no clear information. His life has stayed silent for many years.
Some people believe he is still in Ohio. Others think he may have moved away. There are also rumors that he might not be alive anymore, but no one has confirmed this. Everything about his current life remains a mystery, and nothing has been proven.
LeBron has also said that he does not know who his father is. This shows how little connection there ever was. After so many years of silence, Anthony McClelland became a person who simply disappeared from the public eye, leaving behind a story that no one can fully explain.
Anthony McClelland’s Net Worth
When it comes to money, Anthony McClelland did not have a stable or successful life. Because he was in and out of prison, he never held a steady job or built a proper career. There are no records of him running a business or earning a high income.
Most sources believe his net worth is extremely low, possibly between $0 and $10,000. This is not an exact number. It is only an estimate because there is almost no information about his earnings or lifestyle. But based on his past, it is clear he struggled financially.
This shows a strong contrast between his life and LeBron’s life. While LeBron grew into one of the richest athletes in the world through hard work and talent, Anthony lived a life full of problems, mistakes, and missed chances. Their paths were completely different from the start.
Final Thoughts
The story of Anthony McClelland is not a happy or simple story. It is full of missing pieces, old mistakes, and unanswered questions. His choices left Gloria James to raise LeBron alone, and this shaped both their lives in powerful ways.
But even though Anthony McClelland never acted as a father, his absence helped LeBron grow strong. LeBron has said many times that he learned from the pain. He used it as fuel to build a better life for himself and to become a loving and present father to his own children.
In the end, the story of Anthony McClelland is a reminder that our past does not decide our future. LeBron’s success came from hard work, focus, and the support of his mother. And even without a father, he became one of the greatest athletes in history.
(FAQs)
Why did Anthony McClelland leave Gloria James?
He had a short teenage relationship with Gloria. When Gloria became pregnant at 16, he refused to take responsibility and walked away before LeBron was born.
Did Anthony McClelland ever meet LeBron James?
No. LeBron said he never met his father and does not know who he is. He refused Anthony’s attempt to reconnect in 2002.
Did Anthony McClelland play basketball?
Some people say he played casual neighborhood basketball because he was tall. But there is no proof he played in a school team or any real league.
What crimes was Anthony involved in?
Reports say he was in and out of prison for crimes like theft, arson, and other offenses.
Who is Aaron McClelland Gamble?
Aaron is Anthony’s second son, born in 1987. He grew up in Akron too, but he has no relationship with LeBron. Aaron lives a private life.
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