For all his global fame, Justin Bieber keeps his world remarkably small.
The superstar, 31, keeps one of the most tightly sealed inner circles in Hollywood – leaks are rare and his off-stage life remains almost entirely out of view.
But now, one person who’s become part of that world is pulling the curtain back ever so slightly.
In a quiet corner of Los Angeles, Bieber shows up weekly at The League, an exclusive basketball club where celebrities, fashion brands, and creatives gather to compete and network.
The man behind it, Ron Abaekobe, plays alongside Bieber on Team Skylark, named after the singer’s fashion label and the pair have become close on and off the court.
According to Abaekobe, the global superstar is ‘super spiritual, one of the most down-to-earth people’ he knows — and a ‘people lover’ who is ‘all about love.’
The League founder Ron Abaekobe has opened up about his friendship with Justin Bieber, who plays on a regular basis on his exclusive basketball club; pictured last month
Bieber’s wife Hailey has joined her husband at various League events; pictured at the event on August 28
‘He’s so kind and present in a way that’s just so refreshing,’ Abaekobe told The Daily Mail.
‘Not everyone has someone they can open up to about everything, so it’s really cool to have these spiritual conversations… I think it’s been really cool to know that part of him.’
Bieber’s faith remains a consistent part of his private life — he leads his team in a prayer before each game, a practice Abaekobe says helps everyone settle in and focus.
‘Right before we walk out, we do say a team prayer, and that’s probably the biggest energy shifter for us, usually led by [one of the coaches] or Justin. Justin leads us in prayer before we start the game,’ Abaekobe said.
‘Everyone’s spirits are able to just come aligned, and we’re able to become one. I would say that team prayer is probably one of the most consistent key things we’re doing before every game.’
The prayer, Abaekobe added, is ‘straight freestyle.’
‘In the moment, [Bieber is] freestyling, giving thanks, giving appreciation, asking for everyone’s better health and really just making sure everyone’s protected,’ he said.
‘It’s broad, and something that everyone could relate to, spiritual or non-spiritual, everyone should be able to relate to it, just with the good words.’
Ron, pictured far L, has forged a close friendship with Bieber
Abaekobe plays on Team Skylark, the crew representing Bieber’s fashion brand
The League is a weekly, VIP sporting event that has seen the likes of Bieber, Diplo, and Machine Gun Kelly come through their doors
Bieber does a ‘team prayer’ intended to protect the Skylark crew
Hailey Bieber, who shares one-year-old son Jack Blues with Justin, has attended multiple games
She is also known to go into the backroom with her husband and his team to congratulate him on a game well played.
‘Hailey’s there, the family’s there. It’s a little separate with the way we bring the family around,’ Abaekobe said.
‘She was there supporting him last week.
‘There was a huge moment in the locker room after the game, because it was a big win.
‘Justin played phenomenal… There was an energy in the room that we couldn’t miss.’
In the two games the Daily Mail was present at, Bieber’s entrance sparked a frenzy.
Organizers cleared a path for Bieber’s chauffeured vehicle to enter the gated property, and fans swarmed to the car to witness the singer emerge with their cameras rolling.
Last week, Bieber kicked off his game by personally greeting everyone watching the game on the court.
Mrs. Bieber is known to go into the backroom with her husband and his team to congratulate him on a game well played
Last week, Bieber’s team achieved victory and his wife Hailey Bieber was present to celebrate the moment with him
The Daily Mail observed Bieber dapping up onlookers at last week’s game
Wearing a red robe over his green Skylark jersey, Bieber dapped up onlookers standing on the edge of the court, with cameras following his every move.
Abaekobe recalled that Bieber first joined The League in their second season after a mutual acquaintance mentioned it to the singer over dinner.
‘During season two, one of the fashion brands in The League, actually, Doni Nahmias, gave me a call one day and said, “Hey, I think JB wants to play tomorrow.”‘
Nahmias explained the concept of The League to Bieber over dinner, piquing his interest.
From there, Bieber became a fixture.
‘He played every week after that, about eight weeks in a row,’ said Abaekobe.
‘And then him and I just grew a very close relationship, off the court as well. And so we’ve always stayed close.’
Their connection goes far beyond basketball. ‘We are discussing things that I never even say out loud,’ Abaekobe added.
The VIP guests were delighted to get to interact with the superstar
The weekly events have attracted big names such as Diplo; pictured October 23
It’s the type of place the pop star can goof off with his teammates
‘You know, I’m looking up, and I’m discussing things that I thought only I was going through… I think that’s what brings us together the most, our spiritual alignment. We know each other’s hearts and we’re here for each other.’
The League livestreams games via MemeHouse Productions, offering a glimpse into the otherwise closed-off celebrity gathering.
MemeHouse Productions, which bills themselves as ‘the team behind the stream’, livestream the event for netizens intrigued by the exclusive gathering – and also provide an exclusive, VIP-worthy experience for their guests.
Despite his A-list status, Bieber is ‘one of the most down-to-earth people’ Ron knows
‘It’s a very exclusive area. It’s the Soho House that meets the Crew League that meets the Drew League,’ MemeHouse’s head of production, Zylo Hefferan, told The Daily Mail.
‘That whole persona is what Ron has made at The League and that’s what our job and what we’re tasked with is showcasing that to the audience of how unique of a place that The League is.
‘It’s a place where Justin Bieber comes and plays indoor soccer on Tuesday and comes back for on Thursday and plays basketball,’ he continued.
And Bieber himself has also gotten into streaming, sharing parts of his life with fans in a way he controls on his new Twitch account.
On his Twitch, Bieber shows off a side of himself fans may not be used to seeing of him – a recent stream, for example, saw him carving pumpkins with friends and opening up about boundary setting.
MemeHouse allows netizens an inside look at the celeb-packed event
‘He actually told me me that I was the reason why he started streaming,’ Abaekobe said, adding that the singer is showing a more grounded side of himself.
‘You get to see how he calibrates his mind, and where his moral compass is… he’s actually one of the doper people I know.’
‘I think he’s proving a lot of people wrong, and I think he’s shutting out a lot of the negativity that always comes his way,’ Abaekobe said.
‘Because you’re able to see the way he thinks… and I’m just happy the stream is finally starting to capture that.’
Bieber has begun showing fans a new side of himself via his newly-launched Twitch account
The events are streamed live to the world thanks to the services of MemeHouse Productions
Abaekobe has connected with Bieber over their spirituality
Bieber’s Skylark team is among several organizations competing at SRGN Studios, where The League brings together the worlds of sport, fashion and exclusivity.
Guests can mingle over I.V. drips and mocktails, play virtual golf, or simply watch one of the world’s most recognizable pop stars unwind on the court.
The invite-only games feature brands like LRG, Cookies, and Soho House, with winners earning jackets, rings, and bragging rights — but no cash prize, as Abaekobe believes that would detract from the fun and relaxed ambiance.
