Lakers' JJ Redick on Bronny James: 'Bronny has earned this through hard work'

Bronny James was introduced by the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, and the eldest son of LeBron James earned high praise from newly hired coach JJ Redick.

James was selected with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA draft on Thursday after playing one season at USC. He was one of two draft picks by the Lakers last week and came highly touted, given his background, skill set and potential.

Bronny has been the subject of much conversation from the outside about the reasoning behind the Lakers’ ultimate selection. However, the organization, led by president Rob Pelinka and Redick, is high on his potential on the court and his character off of it.

“Rob and I didn’t give Bronny anything,” Redick said. “Bronny has earned this. Bronny talks about his hard work: Bronny has earned this through hard work. For us, prioritizing player development, we view Bronny as case study one. His base level of feel, athleticism, point of attack defender, shooting and passing, there is a lot to like about his game.”

James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 36.6% shooting from the field in 25 games as a freshman with the Trojans. Despite an inconsistent campaign, he was still considered a potential second-round pick as a talented player.

He helped his draft stock at the combine after measuring in with a 6-foot, 7 1/4-inch wingspan. He averaged 8.5 points in two scrimmage games and also went 19-of-25 in the 3-point star drill while registering the sixth-best max vertical (40 1/2 inches).

Teaming up with his father, Bronny has said, wasn’t his goal. But through careful work by him and his agent, Rich Paul of the Klutch Sports Group, who also represents LeBron, the first-ever father-son duo came to fruition on Thursday.

Bronny has always felt the pressure of being the son of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He revealed that pressure has since ratcheted up even higher, but he believes he can handle it.

(Joining the team) has for sure amplified the amount of pressure. I’ve already seen it on social media and on the internet talking about how I might not deserve an opportunity, but I’ve been dealing with stuff like this my whole life. It is nothing different but it is more amplified, for sure. I can get through it.

The 19-year-old was one of 13 players listed on the Lakers’ roster for the California Classic and NBA Summer League, along with first-round pick Dalton Knecht and roster players Maxwell Lewis and Colin Castleton, among others.

Bronny will debut on Saturday at the Chase Center in San Francisco against the Sacramento Kings. The team will play three games there before starting a five-game campaign on July 12 versus the Houston Rockets in Las Vegas, Nevada (7:30 p.m. EDT, ESPN).

He is eager to get started and showcase himself.

“I feel like I know how to play the game already and the right way but just being more aggressive on offense and creating my shot because I know that is what I can do,” James said. “Just being more aggressive.”