It happened! Bronny James was just drafted into the National Basketball Association. Who pulled the trigger? The Los Angeles Lakers, of course.
In a move fans expected, not to mention Vegas oddsmakers, the Lakers who just hired JJ Redick as their head coach, selected 19-year-old Bronny James with their 55th pick in the 2024 NBA draft. Wow.
If you’re a historian, here’s what the pick means. This groundbreaking choice aligns Bronny together with his dad, active NBA legend LeBron James. This creates the first father-son duo to play simultaneously in the league not to mention wearing the same jerseys.
Naturally, the Lakers risky pick promises one thing, to be a major draw for fans. Who doesn’t want to see the chance of Bronny on the court at the same time as LeBron! C’mon, seriously!! But outside of fandom, this move realizes a long-held dream of LeBron: to share the court with his son in the NBA.
Now onto business of basketball and what’s really on front street.
Bronny enters the Lakers’ organization as one of the final picks in the draft, sparking debate over whether his selection was influenced by his father’s stature as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In his single season with the USC Trojans, Bronny averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. These statistics are somewhat skewed due to his season being cut short after he suffered cardiac arrest during a practice last July, caused by a congenital heart defect. Despite this setback, he made a remarkable recovery and rejoined his team for the last 25 games of the season.
At just 19, not young for NBA rookie standards, as that’s the average age in the one and one collegiate system, Bronny is expected to spend time developing his skills within the Lakers’ developmental system, likely playing for the South Bay Lakers rather than the main roster. Probably the smartest move they can make, all due respect.
Still, there is considerable anticipation and pressure to see the father-son duo on the NBA court together. Like, what is this really going to look like?
LeBron, who himself was under intense scrutiny after appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a high school phenom, is well-acquainted with handling lofty expectations. How does that play for his son who is the most hyped late second round pick in NBA history. Only time will tell. Nevertheless, good luck Bronny. Welcome to the association!
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