In light of the excitement surrounding Bronny James being selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in this year’s draft, it’s essential to reflect on the history of No. 55 draft picks in the NBA.
Back in 2009, when the Portland Trail Blazers chose Patty Mills as the 55th pick, the prospect of his success was far from promising. At that time, the team’s coach Nate McMillan and general manager Kevin Pritchard had no intention of retaining Mills. However, owner Paul Allen intervened, providing Mills with a spot on the roster as a rookie. Allen’s foresight proved correct; Mills not only developed into an NBA champion but also earned Olympic medals throughout his career.
Reflecting on his journey, Mills stated, “I’m a competitor. I always love challenges. I’ve always been that way.” This mindset may be one that young Bronny James will need to adopt.
As the son of LeBron James, the leading scorer in NBA history, Bronny was drafted by the Lakers as the 55th pick, raising eyebrows and sparking debates about his abilities. Critics have pointed out that his statistics from his time at USC did not necessarily warrant an NBA selection, while some have alleged that the Lakers’ decision was influenced by his father’s legacy. Despite this scrutiny, LeBron expressed his joy about the opportunity to play alongside his son, stating, “I don’t want to take this moment for granted.”
Should Bronny face challenges that hinder his contributions to the Lakers’ success, it shouldn’t be seen as a failure of the pick. Historical data suggests that the odds are not in favor of No. 55 selections making a notable impact. Of the last 30 drafts, only two players—Patty Mills and E’Twaun Moore—have managed to score over 1,500 points in their NBA careers. Furthermore, approximately half of those drafted at No. 55 score zero points during their time in the league, and many never step foot on the court.
This context raises the question: What truly sets Bronny apart from past No. 55 picks? Lakers coach JJ Redick acknowledged the pressure Bronny might feel, stating, “The inherent pressure on him is a little different than most second-round picks,” though he noted no signs of nervousness. The focus, according to Redick, is for Bronny to maintain a consistent level of energy and effort in his play.
That said, Bronny’s professional journey will be under heightened scrutiny due to his last name and the unique father-son dynamic, as they’ve already played together in preseason games, marking a first in league history. Redick expressed his enthusiasm for being part of this moment, highlighting LeBron’s career longevity and competitive spirit alongside Bronny’s dedication to his craft.
When analyzing the trend of No. 55 picks, statistics reveal that four players with that designation participated in NBA games last season. They include Aaron Wiggins (78 games with Oklahoma City), Patty Mills (32 games split between Atlanta and Miami), Gui Santos (23 games with the Golden State Warriors), and Isaiah Wong (one game with Indiana).
In terms of performance, only five players drafted at No. 55 have managed to average at least 10 points per game in a season. Mills achieved this six times, while Mark Blount, E’Twaun Moore, Kenny Gattison, and Em Bryant accomplished it once or twice throughout their careers.
Overall, athletes selected as the 55th pick generally compete with low expectations. Collectively, these players have averaged 6.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game, totaling 28,364 points throughout their careers—significantly lower than the points scored by LeBron James himself, who has amassed over 40,000 points.