At this week’s American Century Championship held at Edgewood Tahoe, NBA stars took a lighthearted jab at LeBron James‘ developing golf skills with a scoreboard message that read, LeBron, we’re waiting for you. Recognized as one of the greatest basketball players ever, James is now turning his attention to golf, which he describes as a fun challenge, showing steady improvement with his golf swing progress.
James recently shared an Instagram video of himself taking shots on the golf course, acknowledging that he still has much to learn.
“Got a long ass way to go at this sport … but hey it’s a great time out there!”
he wrote, signaling a positive attitude despite the early stage of his golfing journey.
Steph Curry’s Playful Critique and Encouragement
During practice rounds at Tahoe, 2023 ACC champion Steph Curry amused teammates by teasing James about his swing technique, which Curry jokingly called “rookie hazing.” Although Curry poked fun at James’ form, he also highlighted the potential he sees in his former Olympic teammate.
He got his first few swings out there. I talked to him last week, and he told me how much fun he had. There’s something to work with with that swing, though. That’s kind of what I was going for. He’s got good bones and good kind of foundation that if he spends a little bit of time, probably gets a little bit of coaching, however much longer he’s playing on the court, he’s got potential for sure. I’m excited to see it.
—Steph Curry, NBA player and 2023 ACC champion
Seth Curry Observes LeBron’s Early Golf Missteps
Seth Curry also joined the conversation about LeBron James’ golf swing, specifically noting a common beginner’s error observed when James took a small divot during a drive. Despite this, Seth encouraged focusing on the enjoyment of the game as the primary goal.
I’ve seen the video a couple of times, Looks like he’s having fun out there. That’s the most important thing. A little divot. You’re asking me to critique another golfer, and that’s not too good because I don’t want them doing that to my swing. It’s good to see him out there getting some hacks, and he’s going to get better every time he goes out.
—Seth Curry, NBA player
Vinny Del Negro Predicts a Bright Future in Golf Post-Basketball
Vinny Del Negro, former NBA coach and 2021 ACC champion, believes LeBron James has the physical tools and competitiveness necessary to excel at golf once he retires from professional basketball. At 40 years old and still an All-NBA selection recently, James appears set to play well into the future, but Del Negro sees golf as a natural next focus for him.
His career speaks for itself. Once he retires — it seems like he’s going to play forever — but once he does, he’s so athletic and so strong, he’ll figure it out. He doesn’t have to swing real hard with his strength and his size, but he’s so competitive that it’s only a matter of time before he figures it out.
—Vinny Del Negro, former NBA player and coach
Del Negro also anticipates LeBron competing in the ACC tournament eventually, though he stresses that golf tournaments demand a different kind of precision and mental toughness than casual play.
I think he will once he retires and he gets his golf game where he feels comfortable. You know everyone talks big, but when you’re in competitive mode like this and you actually have to hit shots and post a score it’s much more difficult. And some of the guys at the top have played in a lot of these over the years or in different tournaments or in competitive things, so they have an advantage. Those 2-, 3-foot putts get a little more difficult, but LeBron’s such a spectacular athlete it’s only a matter of time before he figures it out. I don’t think you can ever count him out.
—Vinny Del Negro, former NBA player and coach
Zach LaVine and Others Share Optimism on LeBron’s Golf Potential
Lakers teammate Zach LaVine echoed the sentiment that LeBron’s athleticism will serve him well in golf. He suggested that the Lakers community will soon have plenty to talk about regarding James’ progression on the course.
Down in L.A., we’ll be talking about it a lot coming soon. Look, LeBron’s a supreme athlete. He’ll figure it out.
—Zach LaVine, NBA player
Steph Curry also mentioned that James could compete in the American Century Championship in the future, noting that other NBA legends like Charles Barkley have already participated.
I mean, Charles (Barkley) plays, so probably.
—Steph Curry, NBA player
LeBron’s Golf Journey: From Early Struggles to Future Competitions
LeBron James’ golf swing progress has sparked excitement and encouragement among NBA peers who recognize his unparalleled work ethic and drive. While he is still developing his skills and overcoming beginner mistakes, the consensus is that his athleticism and competitive spirit position him well to become a strong golfer after basketball.
With endorsements from top players such as Steph Curry, Seth Curry, Vinny Del Negro, Zach LaVine, and others, LeBron’s progression in golf is closely followed, and his participation in events like the ACC tournament seems increasingly likely after he retires. His journey illustrates how athletes often find new competitive arenas, and for James, golf represents a fresh challenge where dedication and time can lead to success.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does LeBron James sleep 12 hours?
A. Professional athletes usually sleep more than 8 hours because they use more energy than others. LeBron James, for example, averages 12 hours of sleep every night. This is notable since elite athletes often travel for games, making good rest difficult.