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By Aman Sharma
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels says LeBron James has taken him under his wing, and the NBA great treats the 2024 No. 2 overall pick like family.
That bond surfaced in a story by ESPN’s John Keim about how Daniels, who has sat out 12 of 25 possible games since the start of 2025, leans on sports’ biggest stars for advice.
Next up for Washington is a divisional rematch with the New York Giants. Their first meeting finished deadlocked when Daniels couldn’t spike the ball in time for a last-second kick.
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Daniels, who calls James “unc,” got to know him through Mike Mancias, the NBA star’s trainer, and has trained alongside both. He told ESPN the two talk often.
“I have conversations with him all the time,” Daniels said of James. “I was able to be blessed enough to take my friends to the Laker game this past year, and he’ll take care of me because he views me as a nephew.”
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James jumped to the NBA at 18 and has drawn national attention for 24 seasons. He’s now with the Philadelphia 76ers, having left the Lakers.
“Just to hear a perspective of somebody so great that’s been at the peak of the sport and media since he came in the league,” Daniels said, “and how he dealt with pressure and scrutiny.”
His conclusion: “Pressure is a privilege; I’m blessed to be in this position.”
Kobe Bryant was Daniels’ childhood hero, and the list of greats he has sought out also includes Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford and Stephen Curry.
Bryant’s influence showed in Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles, a 27-10 win. Instead of heading home, Daniels lifted for about two and a half hours with strength-and-conditioning coach Chad Englehart. He stayed for film afterward and didn’t leave until roughly 3:30 a.m.
He won 2024 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and took Washington to the NFC Championship Game. Since then, Daniels has made just seven starts in 2025 and missed two games this fall after dislocating his left elbow again in Week 2.
“All the great ones have overcome adversity at some point,” Daniels said. “Everybody has to deal with it. It’s good to just hear a perspective of how other people dealt with it.”
Now playing in a brace, Daniels gets another crack at the Giants. A clean spike would be a decent start.
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