LeBron James has spent most of his life in the public eye. That not only exposes you to all kinds of pressures but also means being constantly judged. One of the more telling assessments of him, though, came from someone far removed from the game of basketball — Warren Buffett, the billionaire investor known as the “Oracle of Omaha.”
When Buffett looks at James, that’s what he sees. Someone exposed to just about everything from an early age, yet able to sidestep the traps that derail so many others. It’s part of why James is, in Buffett’s words, “one of his favorite nephews.”
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Why LeBron stayed himself
Long before Buffett ever noticed it, James had already put routines in place to keep himself grounded.
When the spotlight hit him at 17, he figured it out fast. Staying the same mattered more than everything around him.
“It can drive you crazy,” James said, describing how quickly life can shift into something unrecognizable.
So he stuck with his old habits. The same things he did before reporters and scouts followed him at St. Vincent–St. Mary High School.
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LBJ’s entourage, the people he leaned on to stay grounded, made sure the noise didn’t change the little things. After games, they still went to Applebee’s together. If they wanted to see a movie, they went. Nothing complicated. That was the point.
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“The Chosen One” in business and life
That foundation never really left James. It’s part of what stands out to Buffett, who understands how rare that kind of balance is.
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“If I’d had that much success that young, I’d have had trouble, but he’s been able to just be sensible and keep his head on straight. I admire him greatly,” he said, per “Vogue” magazine.
Buffett shared a similcar view in 2019.
“I’ve been impressed with his leadership skills, his sharp mind and his ability to stay grounded. People in LeBron’s position get tugged in different directions and have a lot of chances to make bad decisions. He’s kept his head, and that’s not easy,” Buffet emphasized.
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The admiration goes beyond character. Buffett has also pointed to James’ feel for business.
“You have to understand that LeBron is very smart financially,” Buffett once said, praising the Los Angeles Lakers star for his business acumen.
James showed that early. In high school, he turned down a $10 million offer from Reebok, betting on himself before signing a $90 million deal with Nike before graduation.
Even then, the future NBA legend was starting to see it. There was another side to the game. It had nothing to do with jump shots or anything like that.
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As a sophomore, LeBron played at the University of Akron in front of 6,000 fans. They had bought tickets to watch a 15-year-old. That’s when it hit him. This wasn’t just basketball anymore. It was a business, and he was right in the middle of it.
Buffett’s advice over the years has been simple: stay steady, invest in low-cost index funds, and think long term.
For decades now, some have treated Buffett like everything he touches turns to gold. You could make a similar case for James. Former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Kendrick Perkins once said as much, calling him “the chosen one in life” and insisting it shows up everywhere. Even in card games.
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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jun 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.