LeBron James Remembers Grant Wahl Writing His First 'Sports Illustrated' Cover: 'I'm Very Fond'

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: grant wahl/instagram; gettyTwenty years before his death, late sports journalistGrant Wahlhelped launch the nameLeBron Jamesinto the mainstream.After Wahldied at age 48on Friday while covering the FIFAWorld Cupin Qatar, the four-time NBA champion, 37, paid his condolences during a postgame press conference hours later, recalling when Wahl interviewed him forhis firstSports Illustratedcoverin 2002.Although he said he would not comment on the nature of Wahl’s death “until we get further details into what transpired,” James prefaced his statement: “First of all, my condolences go out to his family.“He then recalled when Wahl visited him in his native Akron, Ohio to write the now iconic cover story “The Chosen One” when James was 17.“I’m very fond of Grant and having that cover shoot; me being a teenager and him covering that, it was a pretty cool thing,” he recounted. “And he was always pretty cool to be around. He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron, covering me over the course of time before that cover story came out.““I’ve always kind of watched from a distance, even when I moved up through the ranks and became professional, and he went to a different sport and things of that nature over the years. Any time his name would come up, I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at (St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.)“So, it’s a tragic loss. It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was. I wish his family the best and may he rest in paradise,” said James.Sports Illustratedrevisited the cover story for its 20th anniversary with “The Chosen Sons” in August, featuring James and his sonsBronny, 18, andBryce, 15. He also shares 8-year-old daughterZhuriwith wifeSavannah James.Wahldied after he collapsedduring Friday’s match between Argentina and Netherlands, his wife Dr.Cèline Gounderconfirmed in a statement shared on Twitter.Michael Loccisano/Getty"I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl’s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight,” Gounder wrote. “I’m in complete shock.“Although his cause of death remains unknown, Wahlcomplained of a recent bout with bronchitisduring Thursday’s episode of hisFútbol with Grant Wahlpodcast, explaining that he was feeling under the weather while covering matches.“My body told me, even after the U.S. went out, ‘Dude, you are not sleeping enough,’ and it rebelled on me. So I’ve had a case of bronchitis this week,” Wahl said. “I’ve been to the medical clinic at the media center twice now, including today. I’m feeling better today, I basically canceled everything on this Thursday, that I had, and napped.“Meanwhile, his brother Eric Wahl said in a statement that hesuspects foul playafter Grant alleged that he wasturned away from a World Cup matchfor wearing a rainbow t-shirt.RELATED VIDEO: Adam Zimmer, Bengals Assistant Coach and Son of NFL Coach Mike Zimmer, Dead at 38"I am gay, I am the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup,” Eric said through tears in a video shared to Instagram. “My brother was healthy, he told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed, and I just beg for any help.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Qatar hasfaced scrutiny as this year’s FIFA World Cup host country, due to its systemic discrimination against women and LGBTQ people, as well as thedeaths of nearly 500 migrant workers, 37 of whom reportedly died constructing the stadium hosting the World Cup.

Photo: grant wahl/instagram; getty

Twenty years before his death, late sports journalistGrant Wahlhelped launch the nameLeBron Jamesinto the mainstream.After Wahldied at age 48on Friday while covering the FIFAWorld Cupin Qatar, the four-time NBA champion, 37, paid his condolences during a postgame press conference hours later, recalling when Wahl interviewed him forhis firstSports Illustratedcoverin 2002.Although he said he would not comment on the nature of Wahl’s death “until we get further details into what transpired,” James prefaced his statement: “First of all, my condolences go out to his family.“He then recalled when Wahl visited him in his native Akron, Ohio to write the now iconic cover story “The Chosen One” when James was 17.“I’m very fond of Grant and having that cover shoot; me being a teenager and him covering that, it was a pretty cool thing,” he recounted. “And he was always pretty cool to be around. He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron, covering me over the course of time before that cover story came out.““I’ve always kind of watched from a distance, even when I moved up through the ranks and became professional, and he went to a different sport and things of that nature over the years. Any time his name would come up, I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at (St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.)“So, it’s a tragic loss. It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was. I wish his family the best and may he rest in paradise,” said James.Sports Illustratedrevisited the cover story for its 20th anniversary with “The Chosen Sons” in August, featuring James and his sonsBronny, 18, andBryce, 15. He also shares 8-year-old daughterZhuriwith wifeSavannah James.Wahldied after he collapsedduring Friday’s match between Argentina and Netherlands, his wife Dr.Cèline Gounderconfirmed in a statement shared on Twitter.Michael Loccisano/Getty"I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl’s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight,” Gounder wrote. “I’m in complete shock.“Although his cause of death remains unknown, Wahlcomplained of a recent bout with bronchitisduring Thursday’s episode of hisFútbol with Grant Wahlpodcast, explaining that he was feeling under the weather while covering matches.“My body told me, even after the U.S. went out, ‘Dude, you are not sleeping enough,’ and it rebelled on me. So I’ve had a case of bronchitis this week,” Wahl said. “I’ve been to the medical clinic at the media center twice now, including today. I’m feeling better today, I basically canceled everything on this Thursday, that I had, and napped.“Meanwhile, his brother Eric Wahl said in a statement that hesuspects foul playafter Grant alleged that he wasturned away from a World Cup matchfor wearing a rainbow t-shirt.RELATED VIDEO: Adam Zimmer, Bengals Assistant Coach and Son of NFL Coach Mike Zimmer, Dead at 38"I am gay, I am the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup,” Eric said through tears in a video shared to Instagram. “My brother was healthy, he told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed, and I just beg for any help.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Qatar hasfaced scrutiny as this year’s FIFA World Cup host country, due to its systemic discrimination against women and LGBTQ people, as well as thedeaths of nearly 500 migrant workers, 37 of whom reportedly died constructing the stadium hosting the World Cup.

Twenty years before his death, late sports journalistGrant Wahlhelped launch the nameLeBron Jamesinto the mainstream.

After Wahldied at age 48on Friday while covering the FIFAWorld Cupin Qatar, the four-time NBA champion, 37, paid his condolences during a postgame press conference hours later, recalling when Wahl interviewed him forhis firstSports Illustratedcoverin 2002.

Although he said he would not comment on the nature of Wahl’s death “until we get further details into what transpired,” James prefaced his statement: “First of all, my condolences go out to his family.”

He then recalled when Wahl visited him in his native Akron, Ohio to write the now iconic cover story “The Chosen One” when James was 17.

“I’m very fond of Grant and having that cover shoot; me being a teenager and him covering that, it was a pretty cool thing,” he recounted. “And he was always pretty cool to be around. He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron, covering me over the course of time before that cover story came out.”

“I’ve always kind of watched from a distance, even when I moved up through the ranks and became professional, and he went to a different sport and things of that nature over the years. Any time his name would come up, I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at (St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.)

“So, it’s a tragic loss. It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was. I wish his family the best and may he rest in paradise,” said James.

Sports Illustratedrevisited the cover story for its 20th anniversary with “The Chosen Sons” in August, featuring James and his sonsBronny, 18, andBryce, 15. He also shares 8-year-old daughterZhuriwith wifeSavannah James.

Wahldied after he collapsedduring Friday’s match between Argentina and Netherlands, his wife Dr.Cèline Gounderconfirmed in a statement shared on Twitter.

Michael Loccisano/Getty

“I am so thankful for the support of my husband @GrantWahl’s soccer family & of so many friends who’ve reached out tonight,” Gounder wrote. “I’m in complete shock.”

Although his cause of death remains unknown, Wahlcomplained of a recent bout with bronchitisduring Thursday’s episode of hisFútbol with Grant Wahlpodcast, explaining that he was feeling under the weather while covering matches.

“My body told me, even after the U.S. went out, ‘Dude, you are not sleeping enough,’ and it rebelled on me. So I’ve had a case of bronchitis this week,” Wahl said. “I’ve been to the medical clinic at the media center twice now, including today. I’m feeling better today, I basically canceled everything on this Thursday, that I had, and napped.”

Meanwhile, his brother Eric Wahl said in a statement that hesuspects foul playafter Grant alleged that he wasturned away from a World Cup matchfor wearing a rainbow t-shirt.

RELATED VIDEO: Adam Zimmer, Bengals Assistant Coach and Son of NFL Coach Mike Zimmer, Dead at 38

“I am gay, I am the reason he wore the rainbow shirt to the World Cup,” Eric said through tears in a video shared to Instagram. “My brother was healthy, he told me he received death threats. I do not believe my brother just died. I believe he was killed, and I just beg for any help.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Qatar hasfaced scrutiny as this year’s FIFA World Cup host country, due to its systemic discrimination against women and LGBTQ people, as well as thedeaths of nearly 500 migrant workers, 37 of whom reportedly died constructing the stadium hosting the World Cup.

source: people.com