Basketball can be a family affair, and Amari Bailey’s family has been waiting a long time to realise their dream of NBA glory.
One of the most talented basketball players in the 2022 class is Bailey. The 18-year-old shooting guard, who is currently a member of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins, may be leaving for the NBA once his time with the Bruins comes to an end.
Bailey’s mother, Johanna Leia, has been one of his most ardent supporters as he has ascended to the pinnacle of his profession.
The college student complimented Leia, 41, on Instagram in May 2020, writing, “Being a single mother I always questioned how you’ve been able to achieve the items that you’ve done for our family.” Thank you for keeping our lovely family together and for having those conversations that I didn’t always want to hear or have. Few people are aware of our roller coaster trip. Trust me, none of this was enjoyable.
“Your resilience is more admirable in my life and on a daily basis than you may know,” he continued. I appreciate you always being there when I need to weep. Many find our friendship odd, but I, myself, wouldn’t want it any other way. Few, if any, people can state that their mother upholds their morals and ideals. I adore you, Mama Bear.
The former model and single mother is well-known in her own right as a reality TV personality and social media influencer who has also made headlines for other reasons.
Before eventually relocating her family to the West, Leia reared her son in Chicago, whom she shares with her ex-husband Aaron Bailey. The 50-year-old former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver and the founder of Just Living eventually divorced; they also had a 7-year-old daughter named Savanna. Information has not been disclosed to the public.
While Leia and Aaron continued to share custody of their children, Leia remained the NBA prospect’s biggest supporter, frequently applauding him from the stands and on social media.
During a radio interview on Chicago’s “The Morning Show 107.5 WGCI” in March, she gushed over her son’s achievement, saying, “Honestly, it’s crazy [but] it’s been a long time coming.” “We left Chicago right before he was scheduled to enter high school, and Chicago’s setting the way for basketball… and now that he’s going to UCLA, it doesn’t get much better,” my wife said.
“What’s so cool about UCLA is they are truly supporting their players [who] can actually be in uniform,” continued Leia, who established her own sports marketing company. So he can come pick up a check while sporting a 10 jersey with UCLA on it.
Amari joined the Sierra Canyon High School basketball team after the family relocated to the West Coast, along with LeBron James’ son Bronny James. Amari was a freshman on the team when it won the Open Division state championship.
Lebron, 37, offered his support to Amari when he won the title of Mr. California in February, which is given to the state’s top high school basketball player. Salutations, Nephew! At the time, the Lakers player tweeted, “Proud of you child.”
For all the information on why Leia is creating her own waves while supporting her famous son, scroll down:
Who Is Amari Bailey?
Amari was one of the most sought-after basketball players during the current NCAA recruiting cycle. He joined an exclusive and cutthroat group as a unanimous five-star recruit. Before he decided to join the Bruins, college scouts were already interested in him.
Scouts were interested in the basketball player before he even started high school. Amari made a commitment to play for DePaul University in the seventh grade, but he later changed his mind. Amari decided to play for UCLA as a freshman in high school but changed his mind once coach Steve Alford was sacked. Amari chose UCLA in the end, and on February 17, 2021, he inked a contract to play with the Bruins. Amari enthused about his love for the game in a news conference in March, saying, “I’m enthusiastic about this game – I’m already telling my coaches I need… footage of every practise, film of every game, break down with the head coach.”
What Is Johanna Leia Known For?
Amari’s triumph is a long time coming for single mother Leia. For much of her life, the former Ford model and influencer has been working toward this moment while contributing to the growth of Amari’s platform.
Does Johanna Leia Play Basketball Too?
Leia is a dedicated businesswoman and influencer, yet she lacks her son’s baller persona. She is instead concentrating on overseeing aspiring athletes through her Just Living talent agency and attending Amari’s games from the stands.
Does Johanna Leia Have Other Children?
In 2015, Leia and Aaron welcomed their daughter Savanna. The athletic family often posts content to their individual, expanding Instagram accounts from both on and off the court.
Has Johanna Leia Been on Reality TV?
Long before college scouts started calling, Leia not only assisted in managing Amari’s career but also helped showcase Amari’s skills in front of the cameras. Their family was showcased on the Lifetime reality programme Bringing Up Ballers in 2017. The programme followed five families in Chicago as they encouraged their boys who were aspiring basketball players. The programme, which was a cross between Basketball Wives and Dance Moms, included traditional reality fare with the moms frequently fighting behind the scenes.
Even though Bringing Up Ballers was cancelled in 2017, it did not succeed in becoming the next great reality hit. Amari was unique. Amari was recruited onto the programme when he was only 12 years old, but he quickly showed he could compete with the finest players, many of whom were already teens.
Who Has Johanna Leia Dated?
Leia has received some attention over her dating status, even though she often seems content to let Amari enjoy the limelight.
Leia has a history with the ex-football player, and last year she was famously linked to Drake. The 35-year-old “Hotline Bling” rapper was said to have rented out Dodger Stadium for a private dinner date in July 2021 at the time. The pair’s relationship ultimately ended that October. Leia has subsequently been associated with Memphis Grizzlies player Ja Morant, but neither individual has formally acknowledged their union.
Being a binge-watcher himself, finding Content to write about comes naturally to Divesh. From Anime to Trending Netflix Series and Celebrity News, he covers every detail and always find the right sources for his research.