Los Angeles Lakers' new head coach JJ Redick believes Bronny James may have a 'lengthy NBA profession.'
On Thursday, the Lakers made headlines by deciding on the son of their star LeBron James with the fifty fifth decide within the NBA Draft.
Lower than 24 hours later, the crew's social media posted a clip of Redick and normal supervisor Rob Pelinka speaking to LeBron Jr. on the telephone earlier than the choice turned official.
'Bronny, it's JJ. I simply needed to say congratulations, man,' Redick says on speaker telephone. 'Your laborious work has paid off. You're going to have a protracted NBA profession and I can't wait to teach you.'
“I recognize it, Coach,” Bronny replied.
Lakers coach JJ Redick tells fifty fifth decide Bronny James he may have a 'lengthy NBA profession'
The Purple and Gold drafted Bronny after his solely season on the College of Southern California, making him and LeBron the primary father-son duo within the league.
As a freshman, the previous Sierra Canyon star performed in 25 video games and made six begins for the Trojans. In his solely school marketing campaign, Bronny averaged simply 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a couple of.1 assists whereas his crew completed with a 15-18 report, tied for ninth within the Pac-12.
However, Bronny entered the draft the place his numbers mirrored his second-round choice.
Pelinka advised the rookie, 'I believe you've labored actually laborious. You've labored actually laborious. Once we had lunch on the facility in your exercises, we talked about your work ethic and it meant rather a lot to us.'
The Lakers chosen Bronny with the fifty fifth decide within the 2024 NBA Draft on Thursday night
Bronny and LeBron James would be the first father and son duo to play collectively within the NBA
In his twentieth season, LeBron averaged 25.7 factors, 7.3 rebounds and eight.3 assists for the Lakers
'I believe you're a high-character participant and a high-character particular person, and that's appreciated on the Lakers,' he added. 'It's vital for Coach Redick and I to let you recognize that these qualities actually stand out.'
'And so, the Lakers are going to draft you with the fifty fifth decide.'
Final season, the Lakers misplaced 4-1 to the Denver Nuggets within the opening spherical of the NBA Playoffs.
Bronny averaged simply 4.8 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a couple of.1 assists in 25 video games for the Trojans
After failing to signal Dan Hurley from UConn, the Lakers gave the pinnacle teaching job to JJ Redick
Previous to that, Bronny’s father and now his teammate averaged 25.7 factors, 7.3 rebounds and eight.3 assists whereas taking pictures 54 p.c from the sector in his twentieth season within the league.
As for Redick, he bought the Lakers job after UConn coach Dan Hurley turned down the crew's profitable supply.
The NBA guard turned media persona has no prior teaching expertise within the NBA however has signed a four-year contract price $8 million per season.
