Skip to content
Sports
Link copied to clipboard

Why Delonte's son isn't named after him

Delonte West says he didn’t want youngster associated with rumor that he had sex with LeBron James’ mom.

Delonte West is rumored to have slept with LeBron James' mom when they were teammates on the Cavaliers (Associated Press)
Delonte West is rumored to have slept with LeBron James' mom when they were teammates on the Cavaliers (Associated Press)Read more

THE RUMOR that Delonte West slept with LeBron James' mom first surfaced in 2010 when the two were teammates on the Cavaliers.

West, who starred at Saint Joseph's University and went on to an 8-year NBA career, recently discussed the alleged relationship and how it affected him on a video on Vice Sports.

"I named my son Cash after Cassius Clay and Johnny Cash," West said. "His middle name is Delonte, but I didn't want to name him Delonte West Jr. just because of [the rumor]. I don't want my son going to school and people making fun of him for something his daddy did. He goes to school and [they say], 'Oh, didn't your daddy have sex with LeBron's mama?' Man, he don't need to deal with all that."

The video then took a touching turn with West talking about how he loves being a father.

"I'm not living for just me anymore," he said. "It's changed me. When I wake up every morning and my son is just staring at me . . . And when I walk out of the room, he's looking for me to come back. He's counting on me to feed him and change his Pampers. It just makes you want to be the best person you could ever be in life. That's what I always wanted, was a family. Somebody to sit courtside and cheer for me and not really running out to the club every night looking for love from fans and people that really don't mean you no good."

Happy birthday

Remember former light-heavyweight champion Harold Johnson, who reigned from 1961 to '63? The Philly native will celebrate his 87th birthday on Saturday.

His son, Chuck Johnson (himself a Golden Gloves champion), said lots of people ask about his dad.

"I want people to know he is still around," Chuck said. "Bernard Hopkins came by to see him and we have pictures of Bernard and my dad."

Harold Johnson was 73-11 in his career, with 32 knockouts.