LeBron James moved one step nearer to realizing his dream of enjoying along with his son when the Los Angeles Lakers chosen 19-year-old Bronny within the NBA draft on Thursday.
After going undrafted within the first spherical on Wednesday, the eldest son of a four-time NBA MVP was chosen by the Lakers with the fifty fifth general choose on the finish of the second spherical of the 2024 draft.
The Lakers’ choice created the primary father-son mixture in NBA historical past.
Browne, a linebacker, performed 25 video games at USC after struggling a cardiac arrest throughout a summer time exercise final July.
He was considered as a fringe second-round choose and was anticipated to go to Los Angeles along with his future Corridor of Fame father, having solely non-public exercises with the Lakers and Phoenix Suns earlier than the draft.
Earlier Wednesday, LeBron and Bronny labored out collectively earlier than they watched the primary spherical of the draft, which totaled 30 picks. The Lakers additionally chosen Tennessee All-American Dalton Knecht with the seventeenth choose.
“By no means earlier than in NBA historical past has a father and son shared an NBA basketball court docket, and this appears like a magical factor,” Lakers normal supervisor Rob Pelinka mentioned in an announcement.
The Lakers are ready for James to determine on his plans for subsequent season. With the Lakers’ deadline to train their participant possibility on Saturday, James is predicted to decide out of the deal and enter free company earlier than signing a short-term contract to start his twenty second season within the NBA.
Pelinka added: “We all know and naturally now we have to respect LeBron’s choice to decide out…but when he joins our crew subsequent season, NBA historical past could also be made. And NBA historical past ought to be on the Lakers crew uniform.
The Lakers’ superstars all accepted of Bronny’s choice. “He is excellent defensively,” Anthony Davis mentioned. “He can learn the ground very effectively. I believe he is an excellent playmaker.
“I’ve watched him practice a couple of instances. His capacity to learn, learn the protection, make the fitting passes, that is actually spectacular to me. I believe he’ll be fantastic. Clearly, his dad introduced that to him A variety of strain.
After Bronny James’ coronary heart assault and subsequent lackluster season at USC, some questioned whether or not he was prepared for the NBA. Within the 2023-24 season, he averaged 4.8 factors per recreation. His bodily situation, lackluster manufacturing and being slightly below six-foot-two all complicate his draft inventory.
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Bronny James says he did not assume an excessive amount of about enjoying along with his father, LeBron James, as soon as he was drafted and wished to put in writing his “story” within the NBA
However he shot the ball very effectively on the mix and posted a 40.5-inch vertical, suggesting his ability set is not simply genetics.
The company, represented by Klutch Sports activities and Wealthy Paul, like his father earlier than him, made it clear earlier than the draft that Bronny James and LeBron James weren’t supposed to be a bundle deal.
