LeBron James’ Son Bronny Is Officially Joining Him on NBA’s LA Lakers
LeBron James, nicknamed “King James,” is an all-around NBA superstar. And he’s bringing his prince to the game….
Bronny will be joining his father—the legendary LeBron James—on the field next season, becoming the league’s first father-and-son duo to play at the same time.
He was selected 55th overall during the second round of the NBA draft on Thursday.
The James family received the news at a dinner party that the Lakers team managed to snag the up-and-coming talent though there were 29 competing teams. Sources claim the basketball star was visibly moved as he performed a toast at the intimate gathering.
Bronny showed off his talent when he entered the draft. Fans were quick to notice his spectacular defensive intensity, athleticism, and 40.5-inch vertical—which was a welcome change after his underwhelming performance with the University of Southern California (USC).
To be fair, his teammates had the upper hand because the 6-foot-1, 210-pound guard was sidelined for nearly 5 months after suffering from cardiac arrest. In a concerning turn of events, the 19-year-old’s heart stopped beating during a workout at USC on July 24, 2023. Doctors discovered a congenital heart defect but later gave him the green light to return to basketball. In May 2024, Bronny also received clearance from the Fitness to Play Panel of the NBA, taking him one step closer to this year’s NBA draft.
Anthony Davis, one of the best defensive players in the NBA, endorsed him. “He’s very good defensively,” he said to ESPN. “He can read the floor very well.”
“I think he’s a really good playmaker. I saw him work out a couple of times besides the (Klutch Sports) pro day and working with a big—his reads, reading the defense, making the right passes—that was really impressive to me. I think he’s going to be fine, man. Obviously, it’s a lot of pressure on him with his dad being who he is.”
The team hard-launched the pair with a cute photo on Instagram captioned “Family business.” Meanwhile, Bronny James wrote, “Beyond blessed,” in an IG post.
Nike, a company that has nurtured a solid long-term relationship with LeBron, congratulated the 19-year-old. “The journey continues. Welcome to the big stage, Bronny,” its advert read.
Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka also shared a statement: “Bronny is, first and foremost, a person of high character. And second, he is a young man that works incredibly hard. Those are the qualities we look for in drafting players and adding to our developmental corps at the Lakers,” he penned.
“In the history of the NBA, there’s never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court and that feels like something that could be magical,” he elaborated
“We know, and have to respect of course, that LeBron has a decision (due by Saturday) on his opt-out … but if it worked out that he was on our team next season, NBA history could be made. And NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform,” Pelinka asserted.
