LeBron James has apologised after posting a video of himself on Instagram rapping along to a lyric about “Jewish money”.

The Los Angeles Lakers basketball star was quoting US rapper 21 Savage’s song asmr, which includes the line: “We been getting that Jewish money/everything is kosher”.

Surprised LeBron, who makes very few mistakes, put this out. Does quoting lyrics from a song absolve the person quoting from the responsibility behind the words? I’d argue no, especially with a following of 45 million. pic.twitter.com/efv9gkXres

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 23, 2018

Business reporter Darren Rovell, who is Jewish, first reported the gaffe, tweeting: “Surprised LeBron, who makes very few mistakes, put this out.

“Does quoting lyrics from a song absolve the person quoting from the responsibility behind the words? I’d argue no, especially with a following of 45 million.”

James later apologised, telling ESPN he thought it was a “compliment”.

He added: “Apologies, for sure, if I offended anyone. That’s not why I chose to share that lyric. I always [post lyrics]. That’s what I do. I ride in my car, I listen to great music, and that was the byproduct of it.

“My apologies. It definitely was not the intent, obviously, to hurt anybody.”

It is not thought the NBA will issue a fine to the player.