Who is Lebron Jhames Daep? Meet 6-foot-7 basketball player named after LeBron James but idolizes Giannis Antetokounmpo

LeBron James, who is entering his 22nd season, is one of the most influential players in NBA history. James has so much influence that one Filipino father named his son after the four-time champion. Let's look at a 17-year-old Filipino prospect named Lebron Jhames Daep.

Daep is the son of former college basketball standout Rommel Daep, who helped the San Sebastian College-Recoletos win five straight championships in the Philippines' NCAA from 1993 to 1997. Rommel named his son, born in 2007, in honor of LeBron James, who was still with the Cleveland Cavaliers then.

Despite being named after "King James," young Lebron's favorite player is Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. Standing at 6-foot-7, a height already considered tall in the Philippines, he has patterned his game from the two-time NBA MVP and one-time champ. Asked by local news outfit GMA News about his idol, he said:

"Giannis... I don't really have a lot of idols here."

Lebron Jhames Daep currently plays for the junior team of the University of Perpetual Help. Daep was named to the All-Defensive Team and Mythical 5 in his latest campaign. His father, Rommel, is one of the assistant coaches on the team and has been there for his son.

"He always supports me wherever I go because as he said, he won't always be beside me so while he's here, he'll keep guiding me," Daep said, according to GMA News.

In addition to playing for a junior basketball team, Lebron also plays for the Palawan Yurich Builders in the junior Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League. It's a subsidiary of the MPBL, a basketball league in the Philippines founded by eight-division boxing champion Manny Pacquiao in 2017.

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LeBron James sends inspirational message to Filipino fans and hoopers

LeBron James sends inspirational message to Filipino fans and hoopers. (Photo: IMAGN)

LeBron James knows a thing or two about hope and silver linings, growing up in Akron, Ohio and having a dream of making it in the NBA. James was asked by NBA Philippines about finding the silver lining as a message to prospective Filipino hoopers hoping to make it in the league.

"What I find a silver lining is also looking at just my upbringing and looking at the kids that's in situations that I was younger," James said. "You know, trying to be an inspiration to them, letting the understand that there is a way out, and I was one of the kids that made it out. So it's my responsibility and my duty to let them know that no matter what you're going through, there is a path out. If you just commit to your dream, and you can make that dream a reality. I think that's what it's all about."

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James last visited the Philippines in 2013 as part of his promotional tour for Nike. He also trained with some members of the national team back then. The Southeast Asian country has one player in the NBA at the moment, Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz.