NEW YORK — The Los Angeles Lakers chosen Bronny James with the fifty fifth decide of the NBA draft Thursday, a serious step in Lakers star LeBron James’s long-held dream of teaming up along with his eldest son within the NBA.
“Not a sense within the [f—ing] world higher than being round elevating my boys to MEN,” LeBron James wrote Wednesday alongside an Instagram picture of him taking part in basketball with Bronny and Bryce, his 17-year-old son. “Pops over right here getting emotional as hell simply desirous about y’all journey up to now! Thanks each for permitting me to be your DAD and be part of your compass by means of life’s trials and tribulations!”
The NBA’s inaugural two-day draft unfolded at Brooklyn’s Barclays Heart for Wednesday’s first spherical and at a Manhattan ESPN studio for Thursday’s second spherical. The James household traveled to New York Metropolis for draft week, however James didn’t attend the draft ceremonies and was not out there for media interviews.
ESPN commentator Bob Myers stated Thursday on the draft broadcast that James’s agent, Klutch Sports activities CEO Wealthy Paul, had “a plan and a spot” to land his shopper with the Lakers.
“Wealthy Paul is asking groups [and saying] don’t take Bronny James,” Myers stated early within the second spherical. “[Paul] is saying, ‘In case you take him, he’s going to Australia.’”
LeBron James, 39, has lengthy hoped he and Bronny would turn out to be basketball’s model of Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., who had been teammates with MLB’s Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991. LeBron James has been an everyday presence at his son’s USC, highschool and AAU event video games in recent times. Ought to LeBron and Bronny James take the courtroom collectively, they’ll turn out to be the primary father and son duo to take action in NBA historical past.
Bronny James, who first garnered national attention as a freshman at Sierra Canyon Faculty north of Los Angeles, blossomed right into a four-star recruit and one of many highest-earning title, picture and likeness (NIL) athletes given his superstar and large social media followings.
On the courtroom, the 6-foot-2 guard averaged 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a pair of.1 assists in 25 video games with USC, and he spent many of the season coming off the bench. James displayed his skill as a fringe defender, however he wasn’t utilized as a major playmaker and shot simply 26.7 % on three-pointers.
After the Trojans completed a disappointing 15-18 and failed to succeed in the NCAA event, Coach Andy Enfield departed for Southern Methodist College and James declared for the NBA draft and entered the NCAA’s switch portal. He later elected to stay within the draft and took part within the NBA’s scouting mix in Chicago.
“I’ve had a 12 months with some ups and downs however all added to progress for me as a person, scholar and athlete,” James wrote on Instagram in April whereas asserting his departure from USC. “I’ve made the choice to enter the NBA Draft whereas sustaining my faculty eligibility, and also will be coming into the NCAA switch portal. Thanks to USC for an incredible freshman 12 months, and as at all times grateful for my household, mates, medical doctors, athletic trainers and followers for his or her help.”
LeBron James’s contract with the Lakers features a $54.1 million participant choice for the 2024-25 season, and he has till Saturday to determine whether or not he’ll train it. The 21-year veteran is reportedly looking for a multiyear extension with the Lakers, who employed JJ Redick, James’s podcast co-host, as their coach this month.
“I’m going to dedicate this season to Bronny due to the incident that occurred this summer time,” LeBron James said this past October. “It simply places all the things in perspective. It doesn’t matter what’s occurring in your life at that cut-off date, the one factor that issues is your loved ones. To see what he’s been by means of over the previous couple of months, it’s been lots. I can solely think about the way it’s been for him as a result of it’s been lots for me and for our household.”
