LeBron James and his eldest son, LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., have officially become teammates on the same NBA team. Bronny fulfilled a long-held family dream when the Los Angeles Lakers selected him 55th overall in the second round of the June 2024 NBA Draft.
With this achievement, LeBron finally accomplished his goal of sharing the NBA court with his son before his eventual retirement. Back in May 2023, LeBron made his intentions clear, saying, “I need to be on the floor with my boy…either in the same uniform or in a matchup against him.”
The James family, which includes LeBron, Savannah, Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri, celebrated this accomplishment as a meaningful moment in their journey
His desire to play alongside Bronny was one of the final ambitions he wanted to achieve during his illustrious career. LeBron and Savannah James, married since 2013, share three children.
Bronny, their oldest, was born before their wedding, along with his brother Bryce, who also pursues basketball. The youngest sibling, Zhuri, completed the family in 2014.
Bronny made history in June 2024 with the Lakers
On June 27, 2024, Bronny’s selection by the Lakers marked a remarkable moment, as he became the 55th pick in the NBA Draft’s second round. The event drew widespread attention, including a congratulatory post from Magic Johnson on X (formerly Twitter), recognizing the father-son duo as the first to play for the same NBA team.
LeBron remained committed to making this moment happen. Speaking with The Athletic in 2022, he emphasized, “My last year will be played with my son…wherever Bronny is, that’s where I’ll be.” His willingness to prioritize family over salary showcased how much this dream meant to him.
Their debut as teammates came in October 2024, marking the first time a father and son played together in an official NBA game. Reflecting on the experience, LeBron shared with ESPN, “This means everything…being able to have these moments with my son is one of the greatest things a father could hope for.”
Bronny’s high school victory over LeBron’s alma mater was a memorable moment
LeBron experienced a full-circle moment in 2019 when Bronny led his Sierra Canyon team to victory against St. Vincent-St. Mary, his father’s high school, during the Scholastic Play By Play Classic. In the game’s closing moments, Bronny secured the win with a decisive lay-up, clinching a 59-56 victory.
Proud of the achievement, LeBron took to Instagram, calling it a “storybook moment.” He reflected on watching his son succeed in Ohio, playing against his alma mater while being coached by Dru Joyce II, who had mentored LeBron in his youth. “It was so eerie but also incredibly special to witness that,” he said.
Bronny’s Sports Illustrated cover came at a younger age than his dad’s
In July 2021, Bronny appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated alongside his FaZe Clan teammates, continuing the James family tradition of breaking new ground. While celebrating the achievement on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, LeBron noted how his son’s passion for video games led to this opportunity.
LeBron jokingly claimed he had appeared on the magazine’s cover at a younger age, but Bronny quickly fact-checked his dad, proving LeBron was six months older when he made his SI debut in 2002. At the time of his cover, Bronny was 16, while LeBron had been 17 when he first donned his high school jersey for Sports Illustrated.
Both father and son share Nike endorsements
In October 2022, Bronny followed in LeBron’s footsteps by securing a Nike endorsement on his 18th birthday. As one of only five high school athletes to sign with the sportswear giant, Bronny’s new partnership carried symbolic importance. LeBron marked the occasion with an Instagram post, celebrating, “The Legacy Continues On!! Congrats, Young King!”
Father and son shared the McDonald’s All-American spotlight 20 years apart
In March 2023, Bronny’s basketball journey mirrored his father’s when he was selected for the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Game.
Playing for team West, Bronny impressed with a 15-point performance, although his team fell short in a narrow defeat. Honoring his father’s legacy, Bronny wore jersey number 23 during the game.
LeBron proudly announced the news on Instagram, praising his son: “Ayyyyyyyeeeeee @bronny!!!!!! So proud of you!! Keep being yourself no matter what!!” The post celebrated the continuation of the James family’s impact on basketball.
LeBron and Bronny remain each other’s strongest supporters
LeBron and Bronny have celebrated numerous milestones together, with the 2022-2023 season being particularly for LeBron. That season, LeBron reached new heights, becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 38,388 points. Bronny captured the record-breaking moment on video and joined his dad on the court to commemorate the achievement.
During a post-game interview, LeBron reflected on the overwhelming emotions, saying, “It felt like everything stopped for a moment as I embraced the experience.”
On another occasion, the James family came together to support Bronny during his senior night, with Bryce joining him on the court while their parents and sister cheered from the stands.
Bronny’s college basketball journey brought immense pride to his father
Bronny committed to USC in a May 2023 announcement, sharing his excitement with a social media post that read, “Fight On ✌🏾 #committed.” His decision brought joy to LeBron, who proudly highlighted that Bronny was the first member of the “James Gang” to attend college.
During a press conference, LeBron reflected on the moment, saying, “Neither Savannah nor I had the chance to go to college, so this is a big achievement for our family.” USC’s men’s basketball account later shared an image of Bronny sporting his No. 6 jersey, a tribute to his dad.
LeBron admitted watching Bronny’s college games came with its own challenges. “It’s hard to sit through a 40-minute game…I get more anxious watching him play than I ever did during my own career,” he shared on his podcast Mind Over Game.
Bronny’s cardiac arrest in July 2023 shook the family
In July 2023, Bronny suffered cardiac arrest during practice at USC. The following day, the family released a statement thanking the medical team for their prompt care. Despite the scare, Bronny’s determination to continue his basketball journey remained strong.
