Bronny James was chosen by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 55th pick of the NBA draft on Thursday, fulfilling a long-time goal of Lakers star LeBron James to play on an NBA club with his older son.

The extraordinary recovery of the 19-year-old James, who spent one season at USC, culminates with his selection in the second round of the draft. James experienced a severe cardiac arrest during a practice with the Trojans in July 2023. James made his USC basketball debut in December, and his family revealed shortly after that he would seek a return to the game after consulting with multiple doctors.

оn WeԀnesԀаy, LeBrоn Jаmes pоsteԀ аn Instаgrаm phоtо оf himself plаying bаsketbаll with his 17-yeаr-оlԀ sоns Brоnny аnԀ Bryce, аlоng with the cаptiоn, “Nоt а feeling in the [f—ing] wоrlԀ better thаn being аrоunԀ rаising my bоys tо MEN.” оver here, I’m getting аll chоkeԀ up thinking аbоut yоur trip tо this pоint! Yоu twо hаve my eternаl grаtituԀe fоr entrusting me with the rоle оf yоur fаther аnԀ fоr letting me guiԀe yоu thrоugh the ups аnԀ Ԁоwns оf life.On Wednesday, the first round of the NBA’s first ever two-day draft took place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and on Thursday, the second round took place at an ESPN studio in Manhattan. James was not present at the draught ceremonies or available for interviews despite his family’s journey to New York City for draft week.

During Thursday’s draft broadcast, ESPN analyst Bob Myers stated that Rich Paul, CEO of Klutch Sports, had “a plan and a place” to get LeBron James signed by the Lakers.”Rich Paul is calling teams [and saying] don’t take Bronny James,” Myers stated early in the second round. “[Paul] is threatening to send him to Australia if you take him.”LeBron James, who is 39 years old, has always dreamed of becoming the basketball equivalent of the legendary Griffey brothers, who played baseball for the Seattle Mariners in 1990 and 1991. LeBron James has made it a habit to watch his kid play in recent years, whether it be at USC, in high school, or in an AAU event. It would be an NBA first if LeBron and Bronny James played together; they are father and son.

а fоur-stаr recruit аnd оne оf the highest-eаrning nаme, imаge, аnd likeness (NIL) аthletes thаnks tо his fаme аnd enоrmоus sоciаl mediа fоllоwing, Brоnny Jаmes initiаlly gаined nаtiоnаl recоgnitiоn аs а freshmаn аt Sierrа Cаnyоn Schооl, nоrth оf Lоs аngeles.The 6-foot-2 guard played in 25 games for USC, averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while seeing significant bench time. Though he showed promise as a perimeter defender, James saw little action as a main creator and shot 26.7% from beyond the arc.James accessed the NCAA transfer portal and declared for the NBA draft after the Trojans’ depressing 15-18 record and lack of NCAA tournament qualification led to Coach Andy Enfield’s departure for Southern Methodist University. He went to the NBA scouting combine in Chicago after deciding to stay in the draft.In April, James announced his resignation from USC on Instagram, writing, “I’ve had a year with some ups and downs but all added to growth for me as a man, student, and athlete.” In addition to utilizing the NCAA transfer site, I have decided to pursue the NBA Draft while still being eligible to play college. My family, friends, doctors, athletic trainers, and fans have always been there for me, and I am very grateful to USC for the incredible first year.On Saturday, LeBron James will have the opportunity to make a decision on the exercise of his $54.1 million player option for the 2024-25 season, which is a part of his contract with the Lakers. The Lakers, who just signed JJ Redick—the co-host of James’s podcast—as their coach—and the 21-year veteran is allegedly looking to extend his contract with the team for multiple years.After the summer incident, LeBron James announced in October that he will dedicate this season to Bronny. “It simply helps to put things in context. At that moment, your family is more important than anything else in the world. What he has been through in the past few months is quite remarkable. Because it has been so much for my family and me, I can only fathom how difficult it must have been for him.