LeBron James' Son Bronny Reveals His Feelings on Making History as the NBA's 1st Father-Son Teammates
LeBron James, 39, and his eldest son are making NBA history in two significant ways, and they join an extremely short list of American athletes to ever have their names recorded in such a way.
At the end of June, Bronny James, 19, was selected as the second-round draft pick for the Los Angeles Lakers, for which LeBron has been playing since 2018. The team’s decision will see LeBron and Bronny make history as the first-ever father-son duo to play in the NBA at the same time and the first father-son pairing to be teammates. LeBron is largely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but this record sets him apart from the most revered legends of his caliber in an extremely special way.
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During his debut press conference with the Lakers on Tuesday, Bronny opened up about his thoughts and feelings on joining his dad in the league. Though it’s undoubtedly the start of an emotional adventure, the 19-year-old is focused on proving he isn’t just a nepotism pick.
“I’m … trying to get my name out for myself,” he began, per the Associated Press. “I just want to come in and get my work in and get better every day. I never really had a thought of me going to play with my dad,” Bronny admitted. “That’s always there to take part of, but it wasn’t a main focus of mine.”
When asked about making sports history alongside LeBron, Bronny said, “It’s for sure amplified the amount of pressure. I’ve already seen it in [social] media and on the internet and stuff talking about [how] I might not deserve an opportunity.” He continued, “But I’ve been dealing with stuff like this for my whole life. It’s nothing different. It’s more amplified for sure, but I can get through it.”
Bronny added that he isn’t intimidated by joining one of the NBA’s best teams or the media attention that will follow the father-son journey because of “stuff that [LeBron] has been telling me my whole life.” He explained, “Just having that work ethic, and coming in and getting your work in, and listening to your coaches and being coachable, stuff like that, he’s driven into my head my whole life.”
While Bronny is conducting himself cool as a cucumber, LeBron let some of his emotion show on Instagram after his son was drafted by his team. “NO WORDS!! ????,” the proud dad wrote alongside a photo of Bronny in a Laker’s uniform with “James Jr.” on the back.
Even outside the NBA, very few father-son pairings have ever played North American professional sports at the same time. When Bronny debuts on the court later this month for the Lakers’ summer league, he and LeBron will officially join Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr., who played together for the MLB’s Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991, as well as Gordie Howe and his sons Marty and Mark, who were teammates for the WHA’s Houston Aeros and the NHL’s Hartford Whalers in the 1970s.
Bronny isn’t LeBron’s only son who plays basketball at a high level. Bryce James, 17, is also regarded as an up-and-coming star, ranked No. 22 in California’s high school players roster. The younger of the NBA legend’s sons hosted an Instagram Live following Bronny’s draft announcement, during which he was asked if he thinks his dad will wait for him to join the league before retiring. Bryce hysterically responded, “I’m not gonna lie, that’s OD. … Nah, that’s too much. No, good Lord. He’s going to be 42, bro.”
While the 17-year-old has a point, other professional athletes have successfully competed into their 40s — Tom Brady, we’re looking at you. Anything is possible, but we’ll have to wait a few years to see if both of LeBron’s sons join him on the court to develop the James’ NBA legacy even further.
Before you go, check out all of the celebrity kids who want to follow in their parents’ footsteps.
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