LeBron and Bronny James simply made NBA historical past this Thursday, as they’re set to turn into the first-ever father and son duo to compete collectively on the similar time within the league. This got here true because the Lakers chosen the 19-year-old in the course of the second spherical of the 2024 NBA Draft, taking him with the fifty fifth decide.
The previous USC scholar was gathered along with his household and mates at an intimate banquet in New York, and shared his general emotions with an Instagram put up that learn: “Past blessed.”
After the purple and gold delivered their determination, the four-time NBA champion led the group with a champagne toast to have fun the information. In response to sources near the press, LeBron was “very emotional” throughout his speech as he weighed in on the significance of what had simply occurred.
The journey continues. Welcome to the large stage, Bronny. pic.twitter.com/XaueRuN78B
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) June 27, 2024
Lakers vp of basketball operations and normal supervisor knew how transcendental this was. “Within the historical past of the NBA, there’s by no means been a father and a son which have shared an NBA basketball court docket and that appears like one thing that could possibly be magical.
“We all know, and need to respect in fact, that LeBron has a choice on his opt-out … but when it labored out that he was on our group subsequent season, NBA historical past could possibly be made. And NBA historical past ought to be made in a Lakers uniform,” Rob Pelinka mentioned.
The soon-to-be rookie averaged solely 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a couple of.1 assists in 19.4 minutes per match throughout his lone season with the Trojans, however largely as a result of he joined the group midseason after being sidelines for nearly 5 months as a result of his restoration from a cardiac arrest episode.
Nevertheless, the 19-year-old saved impressing and growing his sport in the course of the offseason, as he noticed his shares enhance in the course of the Draft Mix in Chicago, and proved to be among the finest in the course of the agility drills. The ex-McDonald’s All-American additionally displayed among the finest three-point capturing expertise that weekend.
“Bronny is, at first, an individual of excessive character,” added the Lakers govt. “And second, he’s a younger man that works extremely exhausting. These are the qualities we search for in drafting gamers and including to our developmental corps on the Lakers.”
Lakers celebrity Anthony Davis accepted of his group deciding on Bronny within the draft, and even named a few of his finest qualities
Proper earlier than Thursday’s second spherical of the 2024 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles membership already counted with the blessing of All-Star massive man Anthony Davis to go forward and choose Bronny James with their fifty fifth decide. In response to the veteran heart, the teenager has extra qualities that you just’d suppose.
“He’s excellent defensively,” he advised the press. “He can learn the ground very properly. I believe he’s a extremely good playmaker. I noticed him work out a pair instances apart from the [Klutch Sports] professional day and dealing with a giant — his reads, studying the protection, making the correct passes — that was actually spectacular to me. I believe he’s going to be wonderful, man. Clearly it’s a number of strain on him along with his dad being who he’s.
“However one factor about Bronny, from what I’ve seen and what I heard, he desires to create his personal path and he doesn’t wish to be — although he’s LeBron James’ son, he don’t need be seen as that. And I believe having that mindset and making an attempt to create his personal path goes to work out for him. … Who is aware of, he would possibly are available and be able to play for us.”
Bronny would possibly get his first probability to show himself in the course of the NBA Summer season League, which is ready to start out in two weeks. The Lakers will play their first sport of the competitors towards the Houston Rockets on July 12 in Las Vegas.
