NEW YORK (AFP) — Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, was selected 55th overall by the Lakers in Thursday’s second round of the NBA Draft, setting up the first father-son combination in National Basketball Association (NBA) history.
It’s a dream come true for four-time NBA Most Valuable Player James, who said for years he dreamed of playing alongside his son.
“In the history of the NBA, there has never been a father and a son that have shared an NBA basketball court,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said.
“That feels like something that could be magical.”
LeBron, a 39-year-old Lakers playmaker and four-time NBA champion, will be busy on the US team at the Paris Olympics next month while son Bronny is set to join the Lakers in NBA Summer League games in Las Vegas.
LeBron James posted photos on Instagram with the one-word caption “LEGACY!” and images of himself with Bronny as a child, of both of them dunking and another with father and son side-by-side in Lakers jerseys.
Bronny James, a guard for the University of Southern California (USC), averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Trojans last season after a stellar high school career and also impressed scouts at an NBA combine.
At a practice session last July, USC freshman James collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest caused by a congenital heart defect.
The teenager was released from the hospital a few days later and doctors approved him playing both in US college basketball and, last month, in the NBA.
“Congratulations to Bronny James on being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers!” Lakers legend Magic Johnson said.
“This is a historic moment. Watching Bronny suit up for the Lakers during Summer League in Vegas will be must-see TV!”
The younger James is seen as a top defensive prospect with elite athletic skills and strong instincts for the game but might need time to develop fully as an NBA player.
“We’re excited to see this story unfold,” said Pelinka, who said new Lakers coach JJ Redick is already planning how to make Bronny better.
“It’s an honor for us to add him to our program,” Pelinka said.
