Delonte West was supposed to be promoting a boxing match. Instead, four words brought an old basketball rumor back into circulation.
Videos by FanBuzz
The former NBA guard appeared Wednesday at a news conference for Adin Ross' BRANDRISK 016 event, where he was asked about the longstanding, unsubstantiated rumor involving an alleged relationship with LeBron James' mother, Gloria.
"A gentleman never tells," West responded, according to the New York Post.
West did not elaborate, and no follow-up questions were asked, the Post reported. A clip of the exchange subsequently spread on social media ahead of his scheduled Friday fight against fellow former NBA player Michael Beasley in Miami.
The rumor dates to 2010, when West and James were teammates with the Cleveland Cavaliers. It did not originate from a reliable source, and West has denied it over the years.
His latest remark offered no evidence supporting the allegation and should not be treated as confirmation. What it did provide was a brief, easily shared moment from a promotional appearance, with a familiar NBA name attached.
That was enough to shift attention away from the upcoming fight and toward a story that has followed West for more than a decade.
The setting also explains why the two former players were back in the spotlight together. West and Beasley are preparing to trade basketball for boxing at Ross' event, with Wednesday's news conference serving as part of the buildup.
Whether West intended to joke, dodge the question or simply move on, he left the answer there. The clip has generated fresh attention; the underlying rumor remains unsubstantiated.
