“There’s no better feeling living in this world than raising your boys in Maine,” LeBron James wrote Wednesday alongside an Instagram photo of his 17-year-old sons Bronny and Bryce playing basketball. “I’m feeling extremely emotional thinking about your journey so far! Thank you both for allowing me to be your father and your companion through the trials and tribulations of life!”
The NBA’s inaugural two-day draft unfolds at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for Wednesday’s first round and Manhattan’s ESPN Studios for Thursday’s second round. The James family traveled to New York City for draft week, but James did not attend draft ceremonies and was not available for media interviews.
ESPN commentator Bob Myers said on the draft broadcast Thursday that James’ agent, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, had “a plan and a place” to get his client with the Lakers.
“Rich Paul is calling teams (and telling) not to take Bronny James,” Myers said at the start of the second round. “(Paul) is saying, ‘If you take him, he’s going to Australia.'”
LeBron James, 39, has long hoped that he and Bronny would become basketball’s version of Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., who were teammates with MLB’s Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991. LeBron James has been a regular presence at his son’s USC. High school and AAU tournament games in recent years. If LeBron and Bronny James take the court together, they will become the first father and son duo to do so in NBA history.
Bronny James, who first gained national attention as a freshman at Sierra Canyon School, north of Los Angeles, as a four-star recruit and one of the highest-paid name, image and likeness (NIL) athletes Due to his celebrity and massive social media following, he emerged in
On the court, the 6-foot-2 guard averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games with USC, and he spent most of the season coming off the bench. James displayed his ability as a perimeter defender, but he was not utilized as a primary playmaker and shot only 26.7 percent on three-pointers.
After the Trojans’ disappointing 15–18 performance and failure to reach the NCAA Tournament, coach Andy Enfield left for Southern Methodist University and James declared for the NBA draft and entered the NCAA transfer portal. He later elected to remain in the draft and attended the NBA scouting combine in Chicago.
“I’ve had some ups and downs this year, but they’ve all contributed to my growth as a man, student and athlete,” James wrote on Instagram in April when announcing his departure from USC. “I have decided to enter the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility, and will also enter the NCAA transfer portal. Thank you to USC for an amazing freshman year, and as always, I am grateful to my family, friends, doctors, athletic trainers and fans for their support.
LeBron James’ contract with the Lakers includes a $54.1 million player option for the 2024-25 season, and he has until Saturday to decide whether he will exercise it. The 21-year-old veteran is reportedly seeking a multiyear extension with the Lakers, who hired James’ podcast co-host JJ Redick as their coach this month.
“I’m going to dedicate this season to Bronny because of what happened this summer,” LeBron James said last October. “It puts everything into perspective. It doesn’t matter what’s going on in your life at that time, the only thing that matters is your family. To see what he’s been through in the last few months, it’s been a lot. I can only imagine what it must have been like for her as it has been for me and our family.”
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