Bronny James Impressive in Summer League

Cover photo: Bronny James in the 2025 NBA Summer League. Photo credit: Kelley L. Cox, USA Today Sports.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ Bronny James (LeBron James Jr.) is in a situation completely unique in NBA history. The son of one of the greatest players ever playing while his father is still active. With his father on the same team. 

There was natural pressure on James Jr. in high school. His dad was the most hyped high school prospect ever, and James Jr. is the first born. At Sierra Canyon School, James Jr. was a McDonald’s All-American. 

James Jr. played one season at USC, and averaged 4.8 points in 25 games for the Trojans. In July 2023, he went into cardiac arrest during a workout on campus. He recovered after spending three days in the hospital. He was drafted 55th overall by the Lakers in 2024. 

In the G-League in 2024-25 with the South Bay Lakers, James Jr. averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 assists, and 5.2 rebounds on 44% shooting. In 2024’s Summer League, he shot 32.7% from the field and shot 3-of-23 from 3-point range. 

This Summer League though, James Jr. has shown improvement.  

In the Lakers’ first game against the Dallas Mavericks, he connected on a jump shot over Cooper Flagg and at times defended Flagg well. In two games since against the New Orleans Pelicans and Los Angeles Clippers, James Jr. has played strong defensively, showed some quality offensive moves (like a step-back corner triple and athletic transition finishes), and displayed a solid feel for the game. He is a patient distributor and finds the open man. 

Against the Pelicans - a game that the Lakers won 94-81 - James Jr. scored 14 points with 3 assists and 2 steals, making five of his eleven field-goal attempts. He made one of four from downtown. Against the Clippers, a 67-58 loss, James Jr. went 6-of-10 from the field for 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. He had some quality passes out of the screen and roll and was able to find teammates across the court. Again, he has a feel for the game akin to his dad’s. 

In this year’s Summer League, James Jr. is averaging 13.0 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds on 44.8% from the field. He has made 31.3% of his 3-point attempts. With 2024 Laker first-round pick Dalton Knecht on the Summer League roster and veteran forward Darius Bazley (who is trying to get back in the league at 25 years old), James Jr. is the focus. Outside of Flagg and the San Antonio Spurs’ Dylan Harper and some Summer League surprises (the Portland Trail Blazers’ Hansen Yang, for one), James Jr. is where all the attention is focused. 

Prior to the Lakers-Mavericks’ game on July 10, the build-up, fair or unfair, was Flagg, the number one overall pick and the guy tabbed as the league’s next superstar, vs. James Jr. Pressure on a kid that was taken five slots before the final pick. 

Typically, you would not at all get that hype with a 55th overall pick. Guys selected that late are usually overseas stashes that take a few years to develop. They will play in the Summer League but definitely do not have the anticipation or buzz around them. If they make a splash, it is a surprise. 

In the case of James Jr. though, there will be hype and there will be eyeballs. Not his fault. He just happens to be the son of one of the all-time greats. 

James Jr. is listed at 6 foot 3, 210 pounds but appears to be more like 6 foot 1 or 6 foot 2. Usually, guys that size need to do something spectacular to stay on the floor, make a team, and have a long career. James Jr. has a great feel for the game, but it is tough to envision him as a floor general at his size. He is a solid defender. This is probably where he will have to develop and hone in on, carving himself a niche in the league. 

This summer so far, the 20-year-old (21 in October), has made strides and looked like he has improved. 

Good for him.