LeBron James on Death of Former SI Writer Grant Wahl: ‘It’s a Tragic Loss’

Wahl wrote James’s first SI cover story when the future NBA superstar was a high school junior.

Editors’ note: This story has been updated to reflect that Grant Wahl turned 49 on Dec. 2.

Shortly after the Lakers’ 133-122 loss to the 76ers on Friday night, LeBron James discussed former Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl, who died earlier Friday in Qatar while covering the 2022 World Cup.

Wahl wrote the iconic SI cover story “The Chosen One” that published on Feb. 18, 2002. It was James’s introduction to the national stage as a high school junior.

Since the cover story and upon James’s No. 1 selection in the 2003 NBA draft, the four-time NBA champion has ascended up the ranks in the basketball world, now being known as one of the greatest of all time. He’s featured on SI’s cover several times since, but he has a special place in his heart for that first cover—and for Wahl and his work. 

"My condolences go out to his family. I saw his brother say something as well. Until we get further details into what transpired [I will not comment further on the nature of his death]. But I’m very fond of Grant and having that cover shoot—me being a teenager and him covering that, it was pretty cool thing. And he was always pretty cool to be around. He spent a lot of time in my hometown of Akron covering me over the course of time before that cover story came out. 

“I’ve always kind of watched from a distance. Even when I moved up in the ranks and became a professional and he kind of went to a different sport and things of that nature over the years, anytime his name would come up I would always think back to me as a teenager and having Grant in our building down at St. V. So, it’s a tragic loss. It’s unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was and I wish his family, like I said, the best. And may he rest in paradise.”

"I'm very fond of Grant and having that cover shoot –– me being a teenager and him covering that, it was a pretty cool thing. ... It's a tragic loss. It's unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was."

–– LeBron James on Grant Wahl https://t.co/Lyc8JXl0Fs pic.twitter.com/tTt35p5iyi

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 10, 2022

SI Vault: Ahead of His Class (Wahl)

On Saturday afternoon, James added to his thoughts on Wahl’s death on social media, tweeting, “You had a huge impact on me and my family and I’m so appreciative of you. A great person and journalist. Rest In Paradise Grant Wahl. 🙏🏾🤎👑”

You had a huge impact on me and my family and I’m so appreciative of you. A great person and journalist. Rest In Paradise Grant Wahl. 🙏🏾🤎👑 https://t.co/rvFDGEA9fz

— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 10, 2022

Wahl, 49, was an highly respected sports journalist known for his extensive coverage of soccer, both in the U.S. and abroad. He played an integral role in growing the coverage of soccer in the United States. 

Wahl joined SI in November 1996 and spent 24 years with the publication. He started by covering college basketball, then transitioned to covering soccer. He went on to cover several World Cups and worked his way up to the position of senior writer in 2000. 

Wahl became an authoritative voice in international soccer. After his 24-year stint at SI came to an end in 2020, he started his own substack, “Fútbol with Grant Wahl,” to share his soccer coverage, and worked at Meadowlark Media.

He also spent some time working as an on-air personality with Fox Sports and wrote three books on the sport: The Beckham Experiment, Masters of Modern Soccer and Football 2.0.