Even LeBron James is impressed by his 12-year-old son's basketball skills

LeBron James Jr. is just 12 years old, but he's already impressed at least one person who knows a thing or two about basketball: His dad.

Highlights from James the Younger have dropped jaws before, but it's the video mix embedded atop this post that has James the Elder talking now.

The clips, which come from a recent tournament for middle schoolers, are impressive indeed. James Jr. seems to be playing in fast-forward compared to the other kids, yet his skill level is also preposterously developed for a player who's only 12 years old. His passing is especially noteworthy.

James -- who's expressed displeasure before about the spotlight already shining upon his young son -- was asked about James Jr.'s game after a Cleveland Cavaliers practice. What he said might surprise you.

"He handles the ball exceptionally well and he shoots it a lot better than I did at that age."

High praise. Here's more from LeBron Senior:

Now comes the part where we remind you again that LeBron Jr. is just 12 years old. He might not pan out as a player, and that's fine. He might even lose interest in basketball, and that's fine too. He's already going to face a lifetime of external pressure and expectation because of who his famous father is, and this post probably doesn't help matters.

But for now it's pretty fun to think about the world's best basketball player having a young son who's balling out on all the other little kiddoes.