Bronny James' Lakers workout fuels 2024 NBA Draft rumors

NBA

by Pilar Rossi

Bronny James may be one step closer to following in his father's footsteps.

The Los Angeles Lakers held a pre-NBA Draft workout on Thursday, which was attended by Lakers star and NBA all-time leading scorer LeBron James' 19-year-old son, James, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Bronny attracted a lot of attention during his workout at the 2024 NBA Scouting Combine in May.

He opened the week-long trials by shooting 19 of 25, was second in 3-point shooting drills and his best vertical jump of 40.5 inches was fourth-highest among prospects.

While a reunion with his father in the pros would be a major storyline — James' father has long dreamed of playing on the court with his son — Bronny made it clear at the combine that he wants to pursue his own path when the draft begins on June 26.

“I'd be happy to make it in the league and not think about playing with my dad,” he told reporters, “but that's not my mindset. I'm just going to work hard and see where it takes me.”

Bronny opting in to the draft was an interesting move for some considering he had just finished his lone collegiate season at USC, where he averaged 4.8 points and 2.1 assists after missing his freshman year due to a heart attack.

He started the draft cycle unranked but has risen to No. 53 on CBS Sports' list, making him a likely pick come late June.

Wherever he ends up, the promising second-generation star stressed that he doesn't want to follow in his father's shadow.

“I just want people to know my name is Bronny James. I don't want to just be known as LeBron James' son,” he said. “My dream has always been to get my name out there and make a name for myself and, obviously, make it to the NBA. That's the end goal for everybody here.”