NBA legend LeBron James engaged in a heartwarming exchange with a reporter before Sunday’s All-Star Game, his record-setting 20th appearance in the annual event.
During his pre-game press conference, the final question was fielded by USA Today’s NBA reporter, Jeff Zillgitt.
James, visibly delighted to see Zillgitt in the room, expressed his joy upon recognizing the seasoned reporter, who reportedly recently underwent cancer surgery.
“First of all, it’s f–ing great to see you,” LeBron James exclaimed with a smile, pointing at Zillgitt. “It’s so great to see you, Jeff. Love this. And the fact that you got the last question is even greater. You tried to hide in the back, I love that as well. Love you man. Wow, it’s great to see you.”
A very cool moment where LeBron James shouts out writer Jeff Zillgitt, who he had previously wished well following cancer surgery. pic.twitter.com/plMCwZGgo9
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) February 18, 2024
Their connection extends back to March of ’23 when James, via Twitter, had sent well-wishes to Zillgitt for a speedy recovery without explicitly detailing his health challenge.
Following the heartwarming moment, James proceeded to respond to Zillgitt’s question. He shared insights into the league’s recent surge in high-scoring performances, attributing the trend to the abundance of “great talents” within the NBA.
