**EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Nov. 8, 2024** – The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Thursday that Bronny James, the 20-year-old son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has been assigned to the team’s G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, just in time for the G League season opener against the Salt Lake City Stars this Saturday night. This move is part of the Lakers’ strategy to foster Bronny’s development as he acclimates to the professional level following his late second-round selection in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The announcement follows Bronny’s debut with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he made NBA history alongside his father on October 22. In that historic game, the duo became the first father-son pair to play together in the NBA, sharing the court in the Lakers’ season-opening victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Since then, Bronny has participated in three games, totaling four points in 13 minutes of action.
Bronny made his first NBA basket on October 30 in Cleveland—a poignant moment as he scored in the very arena where he spent countless evenings as a child watching his father’s performances for the Cavaliers. While the father-son duo has captivated fans, LeBron and Lakers' management have been clear about prioritizing Bronny’s long-term development. Sending him to the South Bay Lakers, who practice and play at the Lakers’ training complex in El Segundo, provides Bronny with a critical opportunity to get more game-time experience and fine-tune his skills.
### **A Year of Milestones and Challenges for Bronny James**
Bronny’s journey to the NBA has not been without obstacles. In the summer of 2023, he faced a life-threatening cardiac arrest incident, which briefly raised questions about his playing future. Bronny recovered and went on to play sparingly during his only season of college basketball at the University of Southern California (USC). Although he missed significant time and faced restrictions due to the cardiac event, he showcased enough talent to declare for the NBA Draft in 2024.
The Lakers’ decision to select him in the second round was widely seen as an investment in his potential, with Lakers’ management expressing confidence in Bronny’s capacity to grow under the organization’s guidance. As he now heads to the G League, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham and G League head coach Paul Reed are optimistic that the assignment will accelerate Bronny’s acclimatization to the speed and demands of professional play.
### **Excitement Builds for G League Debut**
Fans and analysts alike are eagerly anticipating Bronny’s debut for the South Bay Lakers, where he’ll be able to get significant minutes, develop his skill set, and adjust to the demands of pro basketball in a more focused environment. The South Bay Lakers’ season opener against the Salt Lake City Stars on Saturday night is expected to attract fans interested in seeing the next chapter in Bronny’s journey unfold.
LeBron James, who has openly expressed his excitement about sharing the court with his son, remains supportive of Bronny’s developmental path. “I’m just proud of him,” LeBron said in a recent interview. “We’ve been working towards this for a long time. Whatever it takes for him to get stronger and more prepared for the future, that’s what I want for him.”
Bronny’s move to the G League is a carefully considered decision to help him reach his full potential, and Lakers fans are eager to see his progression. As the first father-son duo in NBA history, LeBron and Bronny continue to captivate the basketball world, showcasing a unique story of family, resilience, and talent.