EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Bronny James denied that the opportunity to play professionally alongside his famous father LeBron influenced his decision to enter the NBA draft.
Now that the 19-year-old has been drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, he feels ready to handle all the added attention and pressure as the James family makes basketball history.
“I’m trying to get my name out there,” Bronny said Tuesday. “I just want to go in there, do my job and get better every day. I never thought about playing with my dad.”
The Lakers formally introduced Bronny James and their first-round pick, Tennessee forward Dalton Knecht, during a news conference at their training complex. Bronny was the 55th overall pick last week.
No father and son have ever played in the league at the same time, let alone on the same team.
“I’ve been dealing with that burden my whole life. It’s nothing different. I can get over it,” Bronny said.
He played inconsistently last winter at USC after recovering from a heart issue in July 2023.
Instead of spending another year in college, Bronny said he hopes to improve his level of play in the Lakers’ player development system being established under new coach JJ Redick.
Bronny reiterated that he didn’t come to the NBA just because his 39-year-old father is still an active player, he also knew he couldn’t control where he was drafted, despite the rumor that the Lakers’ selection was a nepotistic effort to keep LeBron with the Lakers for the rest of his career.
LeBron James has spent the past six seasons with the Lakers, and is almost certain to return to the team despite currently being a free agent after declining his $51.4 million player option for next season.
LeBron and Bronny James will likely join a short list of fathers and sons who have played together in North American professional sports. Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. played together with the Seattle Mariners for parts of the 1990 and 1991 Major League Baseball seasons, while Gordie Howe played with his sons Marty and Mark for the WHA’s Houston Aeros and the NHL’s Hartford Whalers.
2024-07-02 23:07:00
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