Bronny James, the son of National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar LeBron James, made his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers’ G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, last week. In a 110-96 victory over the Salt Lake City Stars, Bronny showcased his skills, contributing six points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals, though he struggled with his shooting, going 2-of-9 from the field and missing all of his three-point attempts.
Bronny reflects on G-League debut
After the game, Bronny shared his excitement about playing in front of a sold-out crowd, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to get valuable minutes on the court. "I’ve seen all the buzz from me going to the G,” Bronny said.
“It’s just an amazing experience for me to go out and play my game and get some minutes under me. I’m just excited for it.” Despite a less-than-ideal shooting performance, Bronny’s debut marked an important milestone in his basketball journey.
Support from teammates and fans
While some fans had hoped for a more explosive start, Bronny received praise from teammates, including Lakers two-way guard Quincy Olivari, who expressed his support. “I was happy that Bronny got a chance to show the world that he can play,” Olivari said.
“I’m a big advocate for pushing that he is a great basketball player, and the criticism he gets is unfair. To see him go out there and have fun with Max Lewis was fun to see.” Olivari’s comments highlight the importance of perspective in evaluating Bronny’s early steps in the professional ranks.
G-League coaches weigh in on Bronny’s impact
Salt Lake City head coach Steve Wojciechowski also spoke about the excitement surrounding Bronny’s entry into the G-League. "It’s one of the great stories in basketball,” Wojciechowski remarked. “When you see him out there, it’s exciting. It’s exciting for the G League, and it brings eyeballs to our league.”
Wojciechowski acknowledged the G-League’s growing role in developing future NBA talent, with Bronny’s presence only adding to the spotlight on the league.
The head coach also praised the G-League’s significance, calling it “maybe the third-best league in the world, after the NBA and EuroLeague,” and emphasizing that Bronny’s journey helps draw attention to not only South Bay but the league as a whole. "His story is bringing attention not just to South Bay but the league in general and for the guys who play in the league,” Wojciechowski added.
South Bay Lakers president talks Bronny’s development
South Bay Lakers president Joey Buss provided insight into Bronny’s future development within the G-League and the NBA system. “That’s going to be fluid,” Buss told ESPN. “We’re going to do what’s best for his development.” He explained that Bronny’s playing time and assignments would depend on various factors, including injury status, practice needs, and roster balance.
Buss emphasized that while Bronny is receiving a lot of attention due to his famous father, his development is treated in the same way as any other player in the system. "There are a lot of factors we consider for all assignment players—injury status, practice needs, and roster balance,” Buss added. “Nothing unique for Bronny. He’s just part of that system."
With his G-League debut behind him, Bronny James will continue his journey to develop as a basketball player in the Lakers’ system. While his first game was a modest start, it marks the beginning of what promises to be an exciting career. As he adjusts to the professional game, the spotlight will continue to shine on Bronny, who has the potential to become a key player in both the G-League and, eventually, the NBA.
