Bronny James, sporting the number 9 jersey, made his debut for The Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, marking the official start of his professional career as he joined the Lakers’ starting lineup.
Debut in the Summer League
He debuted in the NBA Summer League with the Lakers losing 108-94 to the Sacramento Kings. After the game, James acknowledged feeling some pre-game nerves as he reflected on the opportunity.
On Saturday, the 19-year-old apprentice faced some challenges, missing all three of his 3-point attempts and scoring just four points in his 22 minutes on the court.
Nerves and Performance on Court
“Every first game that I step into the next level, it’s always some butterflies in my stomach, but as soon as the ball tips and we go a couple times down, it all goes away and I’m just playing basketball. So it’s always going to be there, but I’ll get through it,” the young player stated, leaving the fans with hope of outdoing in the upcoming games.
“The atmosphere was more than I expected,” he added. “It’s a big game for me and I didn’t know people from Golden State would come and rep for me. That was pretty nice to see.”
James made a notable contribution with his energy and defensive abilities, securing one steal. However, there were moments when he appeared caught off guard and off balance, as he continues to adjust to the demands of the NBA.
A Potential Milestone for Father-Son NBA Duo
However, Bronny James’ first appearance in the summer league starkly contrasted with his father’s debut in Orlando, Florida, in 2003. LeBron dazzled with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, prompting fans to eagerly await his arrival, some even hiding under cars in the players-only parking lot for a glimpse of the rising star.
“For me, to be able to see my son make it in the NBA alone is great,” the four-time NBA champion and his father, LeBron James remarked. “It’s always been a dream of his. For us to be side-by-side, I’m proud of him. Words are lost. I mean, the kid has worked so hard to get back to this point, so much has happened over the last year with him.”
Bronny experienced cardiac arrest on July 24 while getting ready for his freshman season at USC. After a gradual recovery, he earned a spot on the bench and was drafted 55th overall two weeks ago.
He is expected to have another opportunity to play on Sunday, as the Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors in their next Summer League game. The Summer League serves as an off-season tournament where teams test younger players, backups and free agents.
If everything unfolds as expected, the junior and his father will make history as the first father-son duo to simultaneously play in the NBA, and notably, for the same team.
