Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
The moment basketball fans all anticipated turned into reality when the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Bronny James.
Near the end of Thursday’s round, the Lakers selected the USC guard with the No. 55 pick. Assuming LeBron James doesn’t opt out of his contract and sign elsewhere, he and Bronny will become the first father-son teammates in NBA history.
After the heavily hyped pick, Nike celebrated Bronny’s arrival on social media. The iconic shoe brand, which signed LeBron to a lifetime contract, posted a throwback photo of a young Bronny holding a basketball on the court juxtaposed to a more recent black-and-white portrait of him smiling widely.
“Pressure was never a question,” the copy read over the older picture.
“When passion has always been the answer,” the second photo’s caption says.
Here’s a look at the Nike ad:
The journey continues. Welcome to the big stage, Bronny. pic.twitter.com/XaueRuN78B
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) June 27, 2024
Bronny entered USC as a McDonald’s All-American and heavily touted recruit, but he suffered a cardiac arrest the summer before his freshman season. As a result, he played limited minutes in 25 games for the Trojans.
The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 4.8 points per game with a 36.6 field-goal percentage, so it’s fair to wonder if the Lakers would have selected the same prospect with a different last name. However, Bronny reportedly impressed teams during the NBA Draft Combine.
“Bronny James is every bit the NBA prospect that NBA teams want to see,” ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony said on Wednesday. “He’s going to get a guaranteed contract next year, which is why he did not work out for every NBA team. I’m excited for Bronny James to show people what we saw from him in high school.”
Despite his powerful family connection, Bronny will still face a steep path to earning a rotational role on the Lakers this season. One thing is for sure: For better and worse, he’ll receive far more attention than the typical late second-round selection.
News
VIDEO: Russell Westbrook Makes a Sweet Gesture to an Ex-OKC Teammate at Sparks vs. Aces WNBA Matchup
Russell Westbrook (Image Source: Getty Images, X/NikkiKaySN1) In his 16-year career, Russell Westbrook had numerous talents playing by his side but never won the big one. With his best days behind him, fans almost forgot how peak Russell Westbrook was. But after…
Former NBA Player Shocks Everyone By Suggesting Michael Jordan, LeBron James & Kobe Bryant Aren’t Among Top 5 All-Time Greats
LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan (Image Source: Getty Images) When the debate of the GOAT in the NBA comes up, names like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James often come forward. However, former NBA star John Stockton has a different…
VIDEO: Joel Embiid & Steph Curry Are “Embarrassed” After Shockingly Admitting That They Can’t Perform One Of The Most Popular Tricks In Basketball History
Joel Embiid and Stephen Curry (Image source: NBA) Twelve prominent NBA stars, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, are gearing up to represent the United States at the Paris Olympics with Team USA. While these players have already proven their prowess…
Watch as NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo breaks down in TEARS after leading Greece to Paris Olympics
An emotional Giannis Antetokounmpo was seen crying tears of joy after helping to lead his nation to the Olympic Games on Sunday. The Milwaukee Bucks star and former NBA Most Valuable Player took a moment to himself on the bench and let his emotions overwhelm him…
VIDEO: Stephen Curry Leaves Teammates in Stitches With Joel Embiid’s New Hilarious Nickname
Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid (Image Source: USA Basketball) After the end of the 2023–24 NBA season and the highly anticipated NBA Draft, basketball fans turned their attention to the star-studded roster of Team USA. Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid are among the…
PHOTO: Bryce James Sparks Internet Frenzy with Recreation of His Dad LeBron James’s Iconic Meme
Bryce and LeBron James (Image Source: X/Ballislife) LeBron James and his family have been frequently in the news these days. Both the Lakers star and his eldest son, Bronny’s activities are closely monitored by the fans and news outlets. However, this…
End of content
No more pages to load