Bronny James, the son of superstar LeBron James, has officially made his debut in the NBA G-League with the South Bay Lakers. Selected 55th overall in the NBA Draft 2024, Bronny James faces challenges in securing playing time with the Los Angeles Lakers due to limited opportunities at the NBA level. This is understandable given that Bronny is still in the process of developing his career. So, where can he refine his skills before making a potential move to the NBA? The answer lies in the G-League.
This morning, Bronny James took the first step in his professional journey, playing in his first official NBA G-League game for the South Bay Lakers. At just 20 years old, he took the court in a professional game. Off the court, Bronny James received strong support from his family and teammates from Los Angeles Lakers, including his father LeBron James, mother Savannah, grandmother Gloria, and younger sister Zhuri. The Lakers’ behind-the-scenes crew, including general manager Rob Pelinka, owner Jeannie Buss, and head coach JJ Redick, were also present at the game.
The game concluded with a 110-96 victory for South Bay Lakers over the SLC Stars. Bronny James contributed 6 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. While his shooting was less than stellar (2-9 FG, 0-4 3PT), Bronny James showed his effort in defense, which is an important area of focus in his development.
After the game, Bronny James said: “Everything is still ahead of me, with so much to work on. I’m not overthinking things, just focusing on getting those first minutes, blending in with the game, and contributing to the team’s success.” He also expressed confidence in his future potential.
Bronny James will continue to play for the South Bay Lakers in the G-League, and hopes for an opportunity to step up to the NBA as his career progresses. The Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching staff has set a development plan for Bronny during the early part of the season, which may be adjusted depending on his growth. Next week, Los Angeles Lakers will face four key games against the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, and New Orleans Pelicans.
