Bronny James grew to become emotional after his father was chosen by the Los Angeles Lakers with the fifty fifth decide within the NBA Draft on Thursday evening.
After the draft, a video surfaced on social media displaying LeBron's eldest son sitting on a monitor watching NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum throughout the proceedings.
“The Los Angeles Lakers decide,” Tatum stated, then took a dramatic pause and added: “Bronny James.”
Bronny, pictured sporting a grey swimsuit with a big jeweled brooch on his lapel, appeared to cry as he bit his decrease lip and accepted a Lakers hat that was being handed to him from behind the display screen.
It's unclear the place the USC participant was watching the draft, however he was noticed in New York on Thursday.
Bronny, pictured in a grey swimsuit with a big jeweled brooch on his lapel, appeared to cry and chew his decrease lip after he came upon he was going to hitch his father with the Lakers.
LeBron James yells at Bronny throughout USC's recreation in opposition to Cal in February of 2024
Lakers normal supervisor Rob Pelinka later stated, 'Within the historical past of the NBA, it's by no means been the case {that a} father and son have shared an NBA basketball courtroom, and it looks as if it could possibly be a magical factor.'
Curiously, LeBron's future with the Lakers stays considerably unsure, as he can decide out of the ultimate yr and $51 million of his deal this week and develop into a free agent.
Nevertheless, the Lakers might provide the four-time MVP a three-year, most deal price $161 million, and together with his son round, that could possibly be very troublesome for LeBron to show down.
“We all know and positively ought to respect that LeBron decided on his opt-out,” Pelinka stated. “But when it labored out that he was on our group subsequent season, NBA historical past could possibly be made. And NBA historical past ought to be made in a Lakers uniform.”
Sierra Canyon Excessive Faculty's LeBron 'Bronny' James Jr. together with his father LeBron in 2019
This choice got here after weeks of hypothesis over the place Bronny can be chosen within the NBA Draft. Some noticed him as a possible first-round decide, whereas others believed he ought to go undrafted.
Bronny’s solely season in school basketball proved to be very disappointing when the McDonald’s All-American suffered a cardiac arrest whereas practising in July 2023. He was cleared to return to the courtroom, however performed solely 19.4 minutes in 25 video games for the Trojans, averaging simply 4.8 factors per recreation.
However the LA Lakers determined they’d seen sufficient and chosen the 19-year-old regardless of his restricted school expertise and stats.
After Bronny was chosen by the Lakers, an inevitable debate arose about nepotism within the NBA.
“I don't need to hear the accusations, individuals are speaking about nepotism. The NBA is crammed with nepotism. Possession stage, entrance workplace, teaching,” Adrian Wojnarowski stated on ESPN.
In the meantime, co-host Stephen A. Smith nodded in settlement and stated “completely” after Wojnarowski's remarks.
“I don’t need to hear about it hastily — as a result of Bronny James’ dad performs for the Lakers,” the NBA insider stated. “It’s quite common on this league.”
