LeBron James denies writing op-ed published by Chinese state media

National Basketball Association (NBA) all-time leading scorer LeBron James has found himself at the center of controversy after a column carrying his name was published in The People’s Daily, the official newspaper of China’s Communist Party.

The article, titled “Basketball is a Bridge Connecting Each Other,” appeared in the paper’s September 8 edition under James’ Chinese name. A note at the bottom stated: “The author is a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. This article was compiled from an interview by our reporter Wang Liang.”

The piece sparked criticism, particularly from conservative U.S. media outlets and the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, amid heightened scrutiny of American figures seen engaging with Chinese state media.

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According to ESPN, James had spoken with multiple outlets during his recent trip to China but did not personally write the op-ed. Instead, his comments were reportedly compiled from group interviews conducted during the visit.

LeBron James is so welcomed and loved by Chinese fans!🏀

This is his trip to Chengdu on Sept 5.

He is also the first #NBA player (probably first U.S. athlete ever) to publish an article on China’s media, the People’s Daily!

He encourages using basketball as a bridge to promote… pic.twitter.com/a9IfpbrAKT

— Li Jingjing 李菁菁 (@Jingjing_Li) September 10, 2025

During the trip, the 40-year-old forward expressed gratitude for the reception he received.

“It’s super humbling for me to be able to come here, so far away from home, and get the reception and the love. I just wanted to pour it back to the community and this country,” James said.

The visit came at a delicate moment in U.S.–China relations. President Donald Trump recently warned Chinese President Xi Jinping after Beijing hosted leaders from Russia and North Korea at a military celebration.

“Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against the United States of America,” Trump wrote in a message.

For the NBA, James’ trip coincides with the league’s efforts to repair its relationship with China. Ties were damaged in 2019 after then–Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, prompting Chinese businesses to cut ties with the Rockets and state broadcaster CCTV to suspend NBA game coverage until 2020.

As part of its rebuilding efforts, the NBA is set to stage two preseason games in Macau this October featuring the Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets.

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