The 19-year-old son of LeBron James and USC freshman guard was projected to be picked by the crew since he was the Fifty fifth-ranked participant within the CBS Sports Prospect Rankings. The Lakers had a choose at No. 55 within the NBA draft’s second spherical. Bronny James is a 2023 graduate of Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth and was picked by Team USA to play on the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit, in keeping with his USC profile.
He had a season average at USC of 4.8 factors, 2.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 steals.
Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times by way of Getty Images
“While it is no assure that Bronny will find yourself a member of the Lakers on draft night time, it seems to be the most certainly end result,” CBS Sports reported earlier, citing mock drafts that projected the Lakers would use the No. 55 choose to pick Bronny.
LeBron James, who surpassed fellow Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar final yr because the NBA’s all-time main scorer, informed ESPN in May of final yr that he needed to play alongside his son.
“I must be on the ground with my boy, I bought to be on the ground with Bronny,” he mentioned.
But a number of months later, the NBA star took a lighter strategy and informed ESPN that “simply because that is my aspiration or my purpose, does not imply it is his.”
“I’ve finished what I’ve needed to do on this league, and my son goes to take his journey,” he mentioned.
At the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago final month, Bronny was asked by reporters if he aspired to play alongside his dad.
“No, by no means,” he answered. “My dream has at all times simply been to place my identify out, make a reputation for myself, and get to the NBA, which is everybody’s finish purpose that is right here. I by no means considered simply enjoying with my dad.”
“But after all he is introduced it up a few occasions,” he mentioned.
On Wednesday, as different gamers have been chosen within the draft’s first spherical, LeBron addressed Bronny and his different son, Bryce, in a heartfelt post to Instagram.
“Pops over right here getting emotional as hell simply fascinated by yall journey to this point!,” the NBA star wrote. “Thank you each for permitting me to be your DAD and be aside of your compass via life’s trials and tribulations!”
