LeBron James Says Being Apart from Kids Is 'Huge Challenge': 'Miss the Hell Out of My Family'

Hans Gutknecht/Digital First Media/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty LeBron James

LeBron James is facing challenges off the court.

As the NBA restarted with an abbreviated season after a 141-day hiatus due to the pandemic, players remain quarantined together inside the so-called "bubble" at the Walt Disney World resort in Orlando. So far, the isolation from his loved ones has proved to be difficult for James, 35.

"I miss the hell out of my family," the Los Angeles Lakers star told reporters on Monday, according to USA Today. "My wife, my kids, my mother. And so on and so on. It’s a huge challenge."

James — who shares sons LeBron Jr., 15, and Bryce, 13, and daughter Zhuri, 5, with his wife Savannah — added that he's looking at the return to the televised season as a way of speaking out about social issues with his platform.

"It’s given us the opportunity to every single day speak about, feel passionate about whatever is going on in your personal life, whatever is going on in society and us trying to make a change," he said. "It’s being dynamic and being heard."

RELATED: LeBron James Says a 'Day Doesn't Go by When I Don't Think About' Kobe Bryant

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories

In June, James celebrated his son Bryce becoming a teenager with a sweet shout-out on Instagram. The athlete shared a gallery of throwback photos with his child, writing that he's in a state of disbelief at how quickly his kids are growing up.

"Man o man!!!! Happy Bday to my guy guy Bryce Maximus James!!! Thirteen though?!?!?! Where is the time going!" he captioned the post. "You’re one of a kind young man and I’m proud to watch your continue to grow every day and I’m also proud to be your dad!! You make the whole house laugh daily by just simply being YOU!! Always know YOU is good enough and more my son."

He added at the time: "Enjoy your day as we celebrate it together as what we call the #JamesGang👑 way! 🤣🥳🤪😎❤️🙌🏾💃🏽🕺🏾🎂🎁🎊🎉 #CantBelieveIHaveTwoTeenagersByTheWay"

RELATED VIDEO: At Home with Ryan Lochte, His Wife & Kids as He Trains for Tokyo: ‘This Is My Redemption’

At Home with Ryan Lochte, His Wife & Kids as He Trains for Post-Scandal Tokyo: ‘This Is My Redemption’

'In Deep with Ryan Lochte' is streaming now on newly launched platform Peacock

RELATED: Lakers' Dwight Howard Says He Got in Trouble Via the ‘Snitch Hotline’ at NBA Disney World Bubble

Last month, James opened up about what he found most difficult about social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic: not being able to see his mother Gloria in person.

“It’s the first time in my life that I went that long without seeing my mom,” he said during a press conference, adding that she was “the only thing that I really missed.”

“I hadn’t seen my mom since All-Star weekend and then I saw her two weeks or three weeks before we had to report to our respective cities,” he continued. “That was extreme for me.”

As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments. PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMe to raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, click here.