Los Angeles Lakers players and father-son duo LeBron and Bronny James share a strong bond that goes beyond their shared passion for basketball and time on the court.
The father-son duo made history during the Lakers’ season opener when they played together on the same court against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
In the 2023-24 season, LeBron James became the oldest player in the league. In 2024, after the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Bronny, the father-son duo joined forces on the same team.
Furthermore, this marks the first time in NBA history that a father-son duo has played in the league simultaneously.
Fans have been highly intrigued by the fact that the NBA champion is playing alongside his rookie son on the same court.
Bronny James Followed In His Father’s Footsteps And Was Drafted By Lakers in 2024
Bronny James was born to LeBron James and Savannah Brinson when LeBron was still the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year.
Bronny developed a natural passion for basketball from a young age, influenced in part by his father, LeBron James, which wasn’t surprising.
Bronny followed in his father’s footsteps, playing basketball in high school and later for the USC Trojans during college.
On June 27, 2024, the Los Angeles Lakers selected James Jr. in the 2024 NBA draft, officially pairing him with his father on the same team.
Moreover, the father-son duo shares a special bond, and LeBron has openly expressed his desire to play alongside his son. In an interview with The Athletic, LeBron mentioned:
My last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year.
As LeBron approaches retirement, he has expressed his wish to play alongside his son for at least one year.
Additionally, LeBron often expresses his love for his children in public interviews, highlighting the importance of family in his life.
In 2013, when James Sr. became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Bronny, along with his siblings, recorded a congratulatory video saying:
Congratulations, dad. Proud of all the work you’ve done. I love you so much
The James family is close-knit, with LeBron being a loving and devoted father to his three children, who all look up to him as a role model.
LeBron & Bronny James Made History By Being The First Father-Son Duo To Play Together In The NBA
On October 22, 2024, LeBron & Bronny James checked into the game with four minutes remaining in the second quarter, with the Lakers leading 51-35.
As the father-son duo took the court together, fans at Crypto.com Arena cheered continuously, celebrating this historic moment as it unfolded.
LeBron James.
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2024
Bronny James.
The first father-son duo to play together in the NBA! pic.twitter.com/naadFLoPmh
Additionally, some microphones picked up LeBron giving Bronny some fatherly advice before the two checked in, saying:
You ready? Just play care free.. go out and play hard.
After the Lakers won the season opener by 110-103, LeBron & Bronny shared their experience in an interview with TNT Sports, where LeBron said:
It’s always been family over everything. For me, I lost a lot of time because of this league and committing to this league. Being on the road at times, missing a lot of his things, Bryce’s things, Zhuri’s things, so to be able to have this moment where I’m working still and I can work alongside my son, it’s one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever gotten from the man above and I’m going to take full advantage of it
When asked about his lifelong dream of playing for the Lakers, Bronny expressed his gratitude, saying:
I’m just extremely grateful for everything. I was given an amazing opportunity to come in this league and get better every day and learn every day.
In this historic moment, LeBron and Bronny James left no crumbs in displaying their strong father-son relationship for all to see.
Similarly, Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr., baseball’s first father-son duo, attended the game to witness this historic moment unfold for the James family.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- LeBron James is a 20-time All-Star and three-time All-Star Game MVP and is currently the oldest player in the NBA.
- In 2022, Bronny James was one of 24 high schoolers selected to participate in the 46th annual McDonald’s All-American Game.
- LeBron shares three children with his wife, Savannah, Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri James.
