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Bronny James, son of NBA icon LeBron James and a noteworthy second-round pick in the 2024 Draft, has recently concluded his inaugural season with the South Bay Lakers, the G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers.
At just 20 years old, he emerged as arguably the most recognized No. 55 pick in draft history, navigating through what was perhaps one of the most intensely examined debut seasons for someone selected so low. Although he did not climb onto NBA.com’s Kia Rookie Ladder, he made considerable progress in his basketball journey as he accumulated experience and chances on the court.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches as a shooting guard, James was often at a disadvantage when playing in the NBA, but this was not always the case in the G League, and the disparity was evident in his output.
In 23 games with the Lakers, Bronny averaged 2.3 points, 0.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 0.2 steals across 5.9 minutes of play, with 52 other games resulting in either inactive status or did not play (DNP).
The G League season was divided into two segments: an initial Tip-Off Tournament comprising 16 games from November 9 to December 21, followed by the regular season running from December 27 until Saturday.
During the Tip-Off Tournament, James participated in seven games, averaging 13.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals in about 27 minutes on the court. His performance improved significantly in the regular season, where he played 11 games and averaged 21.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.9 steals in 34.2 minutes. His shooting percentage improved from 37.4% overall and 21.2% on three-pointers in the tournament to 44.3% and 38%, respectively, in the regular season.
Bronny James was unstoppable! The @Lakers draft pick achieved a career-high score and marked his third game this season with 30 points or more. 👏🙌pic.twitter.com/kxLaaZsVSs
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) March 25, 2025
“From the beginning of the year to this point, it’s evident that he’s improved,” remarked an NBA advance scout. “Overall, I’d consider it a positive season for him.”
Another scout commented: “In one game, he seemed a bit out of his element. In another, he performed better. Most of the games I saw were blowouts, which meant I observed him more in full-court transitions than in half-court plays. In his game against Milwaukee [where he scored 17 points on March 20], it wasn’t a competitive match, and the Lakers were down to a thin roster.”
James’ sole college season was particularly challenging, following a concerning heart issue—he experienced cardiac arrest during an offseason training session on July 24, 2023, and spent three days in the hospital. Thus, his modest statistics—4.8 points per game on 36% shooting, averaging 19.3 minutes at just 19 years old—give little insight into his potential.
These statistics may appear underwhelming for a second-round pick who secured a four-year, fully guaranteed contract valued at $7.9 million. His season reached a milestone when he entered the Lakers’ season opener alongside LeBron, making them the first father-son duo to play together in NBA history.
However, Bronny continued to put in the effort and remain present.
Lakers coach JJ Redick stated, “I believe his confidence is on the rise. … The next milestone is to become an elite athlete in terms of conditioning. Once he achieves that, paired with his physical attributes, speed, ball-handling skills, and potential as a solid NBA shooter, he could truly make an impact.”
Redick further noted: “I’ve been impressed by his character. To handle the pressures and challenges that come with having a famous father, while maintaining composure and integrity, speaks volumes about him.”
L.A. general manager Rob Pelinka praised Redick for trusting Bronny in a crucial game against Denver [on March 14], highlighting that playing in such a tough venue and contributing defensively and offensively, including making a corner three, demonstrates his understanding of the 3-and-D player archetype.
Carmelo Anthony, a family friend of the Jameses and former NBA star, commented: “In a couple of years, Bronny will be a solid NBA player. A true professional.”
After scoring 39 points to assist South Bay in their victory over Santa Cruz in their home arena in El Segundo, California, Bronny stated: “I just aim to prove that I belong. Many say otherwise, but I show up every day, work hard, and strive to improve. Overcoming the criticism is crucial to my progress.”
Statistically, James surpassed expectations for a rookie in the NBA, ranking 42nd in points, 46th in rebounds, 41st in assists, and 44th in minutes among the 2024 class, despite being the 55th pick. Notably, five players from his draft class haven’t seen any playing time.
In terms of recent players selected in the same spot, James is comparable to Golden State’s Gui Santos, a 6-foot-8 power forward who had his rookie season in the G League before making his NBA debut on November 18, 2023. Santos has since averaged 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds over the past two seasons.
The benchmark for recent No. 55 picks may be set by OKC’s Aaron Wiggins, who was 22 when he was drafted from Maryland. Now in his fourth year, the 6-foot-6 wing averages 11.7 points and 3.8 rebounds for the league’s top team and signed a five-year, $45 million contract extension last July.
Will Wiggins ultimately claim the title of the best player ever drafted 55th? Possibly, but currently, Patty Mills, who was the 2009 pick by Portland and had a successful tenure with San Antonio, holds that distinction. Now in his 16th season with the Clippers, Mills leads all players chosen at No. 55 in games played, minutes, points, assists, and steals.
Bronny James is poised to strive for similar recognition while navigating the challenges and advantages of his heritage and name.
“Does he have what it takes to play in the NBA? Definitely,” remarked one scout who evaluated his potential. “Will he shine as a star? Perhaps not, but being a contributing player in this league is still an admirable accomplishment.”
“My main question regarding him this season was why he didn’t see 35 G League games instead of just [18]? Gaining more experience there could only have bolstered his confidence going forward.”
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Steve Aschburner has been covering the NBA since 1980. You can contact him via email here, access his archive here, and follow him on X.
The opinions expressed on this page may not reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
