It was important to LeBron James to say a few words about his son’s basketball game. His team had just won, so he posted a video on the short message service X with the addition: “Yes, sir! He works hard and strives to be great.” They are the words of the proud father, garnished with a crown emoji as a sign that the young man belongs to the basketball royalty of the James family. The father has, among other things, the nickname “King”, and one wonders what kind of pressure that must be for a 16-year-old when the father – whose other nickname is “the chosen one” – has one with career tips in front of almost 53 million social media fans.
The entry was for LeBron’s second eldest son Bryce, middle name Maximus, who has just gotten off to a decent start to the season at Sierra Canyon High School and is said to have Prince Harry-level expectations. The even greater pressure is on LeBron James Jr., 18. Not only does he wear his father’s full name, but also the number 6 on his back, which the senior had on his jersey for most of his career, during his two NBA titles with the Miami Heat (2012/2013) for example. LeBron junior, nicknamed Bronny, plays for the University of Southern California, with whom he recently lost 70:86 to the Oregon State Beavers, which resulted in no social media entry from his father. Probably because LeBron wants to take some pressure off his older son.
It’s not uncommon for children of the best to emulate their parents, just in US sports: Bryce’s current teammate at Sierra Canyon High School is Justin, son of former Chicago Bulls player Scottie Pippen; and at the University of Texas, football quarterback Arch Manning is currently being trained to soon play in the NFL professional league like Grandpa Archie, Uncle Peyton and Uncle Eli.
After the heart attack, doctors diagnosed a congenital heart defect
Bronny James stands out once again. First, his famous father has announced that one of the goals in his own unique career is to “play in the NBA with my son last year.” Having your own child on the field has only happened three times in the four major US leagues: in ice hockey (Gordie Howe and his sons Mark and Marty) and in baseball (Ken Griffey and Tim Raines). A father-son team in basketball has never happened before.
And second: Bronny suffered a heart attack last summer.
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Keeping a close eye on the junior: Bronny James (right) takes free throws, father LeBron watches intently in the background.
(Foto: Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Network/Imago)
“We’re slowly introducing him,” USC coach Andy Enfield recently told SZ after a home game. This means: James sits on the bench at the beginning, then he comes onto the field for short intervals, rarely longer than three minutes at a time. “He has a good sense of when he needs a break,” his trainer observed. After the heart attack – James passed out during a training session – the doctors diagnosed a congenital heart defect. The family initially asked for privacy. But how is that supposed to work when the famous father appears with the Lakers in an arena within walking distance of the USC campus and every fellow student films whether Bronny actually attends lectures in his business major?
In any case, the junior doesn’t have to worry too much about tuition fees and prospects on the job market. Since a Supreme Court ruling in June 2021, college athletes are still not allowed to receive a salary – but are allowed to market their personal rights. The two highest-paid university athletes currently are football quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who is coached at the University of Colorado by father and former professional Deion Sanders and receives $4.8 million a year – and Bronny James with $5.9 million. That’s more than the German NBA professional Franz Wagner (5.5 million) gets from the Orlando Magic.
Another effect could be observed at Bronny’s university’s first home game in mid-December. In the previous season, an average of less than 4,000 people came. Well: sold out, 10,258 spectators. One of them was LeBron James.
It’s not just TV commentators who are already comparing every action with the greatness of the father
Everything is now set up for Bronny to only stay for a year and then move to the NBA. The father, in turn, can move wherever he wants in the summer – he has already stated that he would like to join the club that chooses his son at the upcoming talent fair. Two exciting questions remain: Does the father even get involved in the talent market? And what does Bronny’s university get out of it anyway?
“He is one of our best defenders and has qualities as a playmaker,” says his teammate DJ Rodman, who also happens to be the filius of former basketball player Dennis Rodman. If Bronny has achieved what coach Enfield calls “basketball fitness” in two or three months, he should produce more scenes like the one he did last against Oregon, when he stole the ball and then finished with a cracking dunking; shortly afterwards sailed past the opponent to the basket and laid it down sensitively; then set up a colleague’s three-pointer and scored himself from beyond the three-point line. Bronny was on the floor for 20 minutes. What will he do once he’s fit enough for more playing time?
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LeBron James (left) and son Bronny.
(Photo: UPI/Imago)
“I’m just grateful,” said Bronny after his first home game for USC, and perhaps this observation stands out the most: Yes, he is the son of LeBron, and it’s not just the TV commentators who are already comparing every action with the greatness of the father. But when he talks to colleagues, on and off the field, when his colleagues talk about him at the same time (“He cheers you on, is full of energy and optimism, always approachable,” says DJ Rodman), then he doesn’t come across as one More unique – but like one of many who want to fulfill their (and their father’s) dream of a career as an NBA professional.
2024-01-01 14:30:07
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