In a notable turn of events at Thursday’s NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of NBA legend LeBron James, with the 55th overall pick in the second round.
Bronny, a guard who played for the University of Southern California (USC), averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists last season. His performance at an NBA combine impressed scouts, following a commendable high school career.
LeBron James, 39, a four-time NBA MVP and champion, expressed his enthusiasm for the potential of playing alongside his son next season. “It would mean the world to me to share the court with my son in the NBA,” he stated, marking a historic possibility as the first father-son combination in the league.
Despite collapsing from cardiac arrest due to a congenital heart defect at a USC practice session last July, Bronny was cleared by doctors to resume playing. He is considered a top defensive prospect with elite athletic skills, although it is expected that he may need time to develop fully in the NBA.
The Lakers had the fourth-to-last selection in the draft, raising concerns that other teams might pick Bronny earlier to negotiate a trade deal with the Lakers. Notably, ESPN reported that agent Rich Paul warned teams ahead of the Lakers in the draft order that Bronny would consider playing in Australia rather than with those clubs.
International players featured prominently in the draft, including France’s Zaccharie Risacher, who was the top pick by the Atlanta Hawks. Other significant selections included Australian swingman Johnny Furphy by San Antonio at 35th, Spanish guard Juan Nunez at 36th by Indiana, and Swedish forward Bobi Klintman at 37th by Minnesota.
Reflecting on his draft experience, Nigerian center Adem Bona, picked 41st by Philadelphia, remarked, “It means everything to me to be standing here right now.”
Other notable selections included Serbian forward Nikola Djurisic at 43rd by Miami, Swedish guard Pelle Larsson at 44th by Houston, and French forward Melvin Ajinca at 51st by New York.
The draft concluded with Memphis picking 18-year-old Cameroonian forward Ulrich Chomche at 57th and Dallas selecting German center Ariel Hukporti with the 58th and final pick.
