ORLANDO, Fla. — As the final buzzer echoed throughout the arena on Saturday, the South Bay Lakers celebrated a victory, and Bronny James appeared to be in great spirits.
A broad smile adorned his face, and he exchanged handshakes with teammates, even showcasing a little dance move as he made his way to the bench.
Bronny, the eldest son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has long accepted that he will be scrutinized differently due to his father’s immense legacy.
In an interview during the G League Winter Showcase, he expressed that this perception does not trouble him. Bronny, having gone through a life-altering experience of cardiac arrest on July 24, 2023, explained how it has reshaped his view of the game, while still presenting challenges.
“I’ve built resilience during the past couple of years dealing with injuries and mental health issues,” Bronny mentioned.
“It’s all about coming in each day and remaining committed to the process.”
The psychological hurdle he faces primarily arises from the fear experienced that fateful day 17 months ago.
“Overcoming that is a challenge,” he admitted. “But I work on it every single day.”
He faced a cardiac arrest episode during a practice at the University of Southern California, which revealed a congenital heart defect that required treatment, forcing him to sit out for an extensive recovery period.
The NBA cleared him for full participation in May, leading to the Los Angeles Lakers, the team where his father plays, selecting him 55th overall in the draft and subsequently signing him to a four-year contract worth $7.9 million.
Bronny has taken the court in seven games with the Lakers, marking a historical milestone as part of the first father-son duo in league history.
He has also spent time in the G League to further hone his skills. The Lakers openly acknowledge James is still developing, a sentiment the 20-year-old shares.
“He’s got a lot of eyes on him,” said Devonte’ Graham, one of his South Bay teammates and an NBA veteran with over 300 games under his belt.
“He handles it well, and I think he’s performing nicely.”
In Saturday’s game, James recorded six points, seven assists, four rebounds, and a steal while shooting 3-for-7 in a total of 25 minutes of play, contributing to South Bay’s 120-104 victory over the Osceola Magic.
His athleticism shone through as he maneuvered through traffic for crucial rebounds on multiple occasions, showcasing his competitive edge.
“I’m just committed to showing up, improving each day, and playing my style of basketball,” Bronny asserted.
He reflected on his concerns following the cardiac incident about whether he would be able to continue playing; doubt surrounded him after averaging 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in his lone college season before being drafted.
However, he has let negative external chatter fall “in one ear and out the other,” focusing instead on the joy of playing, whether on a temporary court in an Orlando convention center or under the NBA’s spotlight.
“My family is incredibly grateful that I can play basketball, interact with others, and just enjoy life,” he stated.
“It’s a blessing to engage in a sport that I cherish deeply. I could have easily lost the chance to do this, so I wake up every day feeling thankful.”