LeBron James' Alleged Support for Karmelo Anthony Debunked

A viral post falsely claimed that LeBron James pledged $500,000 to support Karmelo Anthony's appeal. This misinformation has been debunked by users and fact-checkers. The case, involving Anthony's conviction for murder, has sparked significant debate online. The judge overseeing the sentencing has defended the verdict, emphasizing adherence to the law amidst public criticism. Discover the details behind these claims and the ongoing discussions surrounding this controversial case.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 14, 2026, 23:33 IST

False Claims Surrounding LeBron James and Karmelo Anthony

A misleading social media post has gone viral, incorrectly asserting that basketball icon LeBron James committed to donating $500,000 to aid convicted Texas teen Karmelo Anthony in his appeal. Anthony, a resident of Frisco, Texas, was convicted for the murder of fellow teenager Austin Metcalf in April 2025 and has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. This case has sparked considerable discussion and a wave of misinformation online.

The erroneous claim originated from a video shared on X, which seemed to depict LeBron James expressing his support for Anthony and promising financial help for an appeal. The post, from the account FADE (@FadeMFx), featured Anthony's mugshot alongside clips of James. It falsely claimed that the NBA star had communicated with Anthony's parents and intended to donate $500,000 to help 'bring Karmelo home.' Additionally, it included a fabricated quote from James, stating, 'I believe everyone deserves a 2nd chance; all he did was defend himself. I'm gonna wire them $500k tomorrow.'

However, the video in question does not mention Anthony or his situation. Instead, it shows James discussing American football and his favorite NFL players. Users on X flagged the misleading claim through the platform's Community Notes feature, clarifying, 'This video is fake and uses fabricated audio of LeBron James. There is no evidence LeBron James has spoken about this case or pledged $500,000.'

This false narrative follows other viral claims related to the case, including rumors that rapper Cardi B had donated to Anthony's family after publicly questioning the court's ruling. In the meantime, the judge who oversaw Anthony's sentencing has defended the verdict amid criticism. Collin County Judge John Roach Jr. stated he acted according to the law when delivering the sentence. 'I know I made people mad, but I'm not here to make them happy either,' he told a local news outlet. Judge Roach dismissed any suggestions that personal biases influenced the trial, asserting, 'I wouldn't know Metcalf prior to this trial if he walked up to me and said 'hello.' As long as I follow the law, I sleep well at night.' He further supported the jury's decision, emphasizing that they reached the right conclusion based on the law and the facts presented in the courtroom.