Bronny James Reflects On The Tough Side Of Being Lebron James’ Son
Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of NBA legend LeBron James, is opening up about the challenges and triumphs he faces in the spotlight. Currently a freshman at USC, Bronny recently spoke about his decision to pursue a professional basketball career and the public scrutiny that comes with being the son of a four-time NBA champion.
During an interview with NBA Central, Bronny said, “It’s tough. A lot of criticism gets thrown my way, but you know, I’ve got to deal with it.”
He added, “They don’t know what I’ve been through. But yeah, I just try to make the best of the opportunities that are given to me.”
Bronny declared for the 2024 NBA Draft last month after playing one season with USC’s Trojans basketball team. When asked about his decision to jump from college basketball to the professional league, he said it was all about following his heart.
“You know I always want to end up where I’m happy the most. [My] mom has always told me, ‘take me where my heart wants me to be,’ and I just found happiness in what I’m doing right now, and I feel like that’s where I want myself to be,” he stated.
Basketball has always been Bronny’s passion, despite dabbling in other sports. “I mean I’ve played other sports. I played soccer. [I] wasn’t allowed to play football. My mom didn’t allow that. So yeah, I’ve always been a sports guy, but basketball was just my cup of tea,” he explained.
In April, Bronny announced his intentions of going pro on Instagram, sharing a photo of himself playing for the Trojans. “I’ve had a year with some ups and downs but all added growth for me as a man, student, and athlete,” he wrote, adding, “I’ve made the decision to enter the NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility, and will also be entering the NCAA transfer portal.”
Bronny expressed gratitude for his time at USC and the support he has received. “Thank you to USC for an amazing freshman year, and as always thankful for my family, friends, doctors, athletic trainers, and fans for their support.”
LeBron has voiced his unwavering support for his son’s basketball journey. During the NBA All-Star Game Weekend in February, he said, “It’s up to him. It’s up to the kid. Obviously, we gonna go through the whole process. … We gonna weigh our options, and we gonna let the kid make the decision.”
