The Cleveland Cavaliers selected LeBron James with the first pick of the 2003 NBA Draft and over 20 years later, he witnessed his eldest son Bronny James get drafted. Bronny was selected with the 55th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and Dave McMenamin revealed on ESPN’s coverage that LeBron got very emotional at that moment.
“I’m told that the James family and some of their closest friends and confidants, including Rich Paul, of course, Gloria James, LeBron’s mother, and Savannah’s parents as well, gathered for an intimate dinner in New York City today,” McMenamin said. “To await what was gonna happen with the second round.
“When they got the call from the Lakers, LeBron James had a champagne toast to everyone there,” McMenamin continued. “I’m told it was less than 20 people, and sources tell me he got very emotional in considering the weight of the moment. Not just the history for the NBA, the first time you have a father-son duo playing together, and not just the history for the James family being that father and son duo, but really the journey for Bronny James.
“You think back, it’s less than a year ago last July where he suffered that cardiac incident and that was a very serious time, very touch and go for the James family,” McMenamin stated. “And here they are together, having one of the most joyous days they’ve ever experienced with Bronny being able to complete his goal of playing in the NBA.”
"LeBron James got very emotional considering the weight of the moment." ❤️ @mcten on LeBron's reaction to Bronny being drafted at No. 55 👀 pic.twitter.com/KFWhRETNlJ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 27, 2024
It was on July 24, 2023, that the James household received news that threatened to turn their world upside down. Bronny had suffered a cardiac arrest during a practice session at USC but fortunately, the medical staff there were able to treat him and then take him to a hospital. His condition was soon declared stable, but there was no guarantee he’d be able to play competitive basketball again.
Bronny was back on the court by the end of the year, though, as he made his debut for USC on Dec. 10. That was a momentous occasion, as was this one on Thursday.
It is completely understandable that LeBron would get a bit overwhelmed by emotion to see Bronny have his name called after everything that had happened. On top of all that, they are also the first father-son duo to be teammates and will share the court at some point next season, provided the 39-year-old re-signs with the Lakers.
I have a hard time picturing LeBron leaving the Lakers after they drafted Bronny. It was widely reported that the 20-time All-Star would opt out of his $51.4 million player option for 2024-25 and then sign a new contract with the franchise and I expect him to do just that.
In the meantime, LeBron is just celebrating Bronny accomplishing this goal of his. He shared various stories on Instagram after the conclusion of the draft, with the first being a post from Nike.
LeBron then shared the welcome video the Lakers made for Bronny.
Rapper and singer-songwriter Travis Scott had congratulated the father-son duo after Bronny was drafted and James thanked him for that.
LeBron then shared a message from Florida A&M University’s athletic program. They had collaborated with James and Nike to release the Nike LeBron 7 FAMU in 2023.
Clothing company Mitchell and Ness sent out a wonderful message stating, “The Legacy Continues” and LeBron shared it as well.
Entrepreneur Chantel Cohen’s message was another to be shared by James.
LeBron then shared a video from Uninterrupted, the platform he founded in 2014, of their office staff celebrating Bronny being drafted.
James also shared a picture of him and Bronny in Lakers uniforms and of them from about 10 years ago.
An old video where LeBron revealed Bronny’s intention of wanting to make a name for himself was then shared by the Lakers superstar.
LeBron then posted a picture showing Bronny in middle school and now with the Lakers.
Lastly, LeBron shared an edited picture of them celebrating together in a Lakers uniform.
Safe to say LeBron is quite excited. I sure do hope that father and son get to celebrate that way for real at some point. Seeing them play together is going to be incredible in itself, though, and I can’t wait for the momentous moment when they get to share the court for the first time.
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