Bronny James had a challenging start to his NBA Summer League debut as he took the court for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Sacramento Kings. Despite being the son of NBA legend LeBron James, Bronny struggled in his first game, scoring only four points on 2-for-9 shooting. He also grabbed two rebounds and handed out two assists but ended up with a minus-16 on the floor as the Kings secured a 108-94 victory.
During his post-game press conference, Bronny expressed his frustration at not having had enough opportunities to showcase his skills during his time at USC, where he averaged less than five points per game. He mentioned that a sudden cardiac arrest during a warm-up over the summer had hampered his performance and caused him to miss the beginning of the season, impacting his overall game.
Despite having three years of NCAA eligibility left, Bronny decided to pursue his NBA dream alongside his father, LeBron James. There have been speculations that LeBron would retire after playing with his son for one year, but their agent, Rich Paul, clarified that they were not a package deal. Bronny had received invites for workouts with multiple teams but chose to accept only two from the Lakers and Phoenix Suns, a decision that was explained as being intentional.
Scouts have been critical of Bronny’s performance, with one stating that he is “not an NBA prospect.” While it is still early in his career, Bronny will undoubtedly aim to improve his shooting percentage, which currently stands at 22.2% from the floor.
Despite the challenges he faced in his debut game, Bronny will have another opportunity to showcase his talent as the Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors next. Following that, he will head to Vegas, where his father is preparing for the Olympics with Team USA.
Bronny’s journey in the NBA is just beginning, and he will have to work hard to prove himself on the court and overcome the skepticism surrounding his abilities. As the son of a basketball icon, the spotlight will always be on him, but with determination and perseverance, he can carve out his own path in the league. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how Bronny’s career unfolds and whether he can live up to the expectations set by his famous father.