For the first time in NBA history, a father and son will don the jersey and play for the same franchise. This remarkable legacy belongs to the James family as LeBron James welcomes his son, Bronny James , into professional basketball.
While his transition into the league has been debated over talent or nepotism, the next question is how the 55th picks of the 2024 NBA Draft will develop as a pro and carry a legacy.
In great hands
As a late second-round pick, Bronny received the rare opportunity to share the court with his dad for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bronny had a rather disappointing college season at USC, averaging only 4.8 points per game. Such a stat line doesn't fit the profile of an NBA draftee, hence the nepotism talks. However, many still believe that the 20-year-old might impress as a pro. Even Lakers legend Magic Johnson chimed in on social media, saying that the Lakers will provide the best environment for developing the USC product.
Alex Caruso and Austin Reaves went undrafted in 2016 and 2021, respectively. However, the Lakers gave both players the chance to play in the NBA, and they developed rapidly. Caruso left after four seasons as he couldn't break into a starting role. However, while not yet a starter, Reaves is seeing a good amount of games, starting a career-high 57 games last season.
Related: Larry Johnson says that Dennis Rodman wasn't the best rebounder in his family: "She look like him, she built like him"
Journey to the NBA
Despite the notion that Bronny was drafted because of his last name, the former Trojan never had it easy in his basketball career. The young shooting guard suffered a career-ending health scare.
Gearing up for his first college season, the younger James had a cardiac arrest during a practice session on July 24, 2023. It was a dark summer for the James household. However, one summer later, Bronny went from uncertainty about his playing career to an NBA roster.
For his part, the USC product looks in his best shape after a good showing at the draft combine and a solid preseason outing. In the Lakers' last exhibition matchup against the Golden State Warriors , the rookie was handed his first start, recording 17 points on 7-of-17 shooting. Bronny looked more confident on the ball as he recorded a three-pointer and a cool two-handed alley-oop after receiving a lob pass in the third quarter of the game.
With every game, James Jr.'s confidence seems to grow, and that is the kind of development he'll hope to maintain as the season kicks off.
Related: "I really don't think the Lakers are serious anymore" - DeMarcus Cousins thinks the Lakers aren't playing to win the title this season after drafting Bronny James
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