Bronny James is overcome with emotion after being taken by LeBron’s Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft after nearly going unpicked out of USC

Bronny James was overcome with emotion on Thursday night after being drafted by his father’s Los Angeles Lakers with the 55th pick of the NBA Draft.

Following the draft, video footage surfaced on social media showing LeBron’s eldest son sitting on a monitor and watching NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum during the hearing.

“The Los Angeles Lakers pick,” Tatum said before pausing dramatically and saying, “Bronny James.”

Pictured in a brown suit with a large, bejeweled brooch on the lapel, Bronny appeared to cry as he bit his lower lip and accepted a Lakers hat that was handed to him off-screen.

It’s unclear where the USC product was watching the draft, but he was spotted in New York earlier on Thursday.

LeBron James yells at Bronny during USC’s game against Cal in February 2024

“In the history of the NBA, there has never been a father and son sharing an NBA basketball court. That feels like something magical,” Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka said afterward.

Interestingly enough, LeBron’s future with the Lakers is somewhat clouded, as he can opt out of the final year and $51 million of his deal this week to become a free agent.

However, the Lakers could offer the four-time MVP a three-year max deal worth $161 million, and with his son on board, that could be too much for LeBron to turn down.

“We know, and we have to respect that, that LeBron has a decision to make about his opt-out,” Pelinka said. “But if he were to be on our team next season, NBA history could be made. And NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform.”

LeBron ‘Bronny’ James Jr. from Sierra Canyon High School with his father LeBron in 2019

The pick comes after weeks of speculation about where Bronny would be selected in the NBA Draft. Some saw him as a potential first-round pick, while others thought he should go undrafted.

Bronny’s lone season in college basketball turned out to be a major disappointment after the McDonald’s All-American suffered cardiac arrest during a practice in July 2023. He was allowed to return to the field, but averaged just 19.4 minutes in 25 games for the Trojans and scored just 4.8 points per game.

But the LA Lakers had enough and drafted the 19-year-old anyway, despite his limited experience and college stats.

After Bronny was selected by the Lakers, an inevitable debate about nepotism in the NBA arose.

“I don’t want to hear the accusations, people talking about nepotism,” Adrian Wojnarowski told ESPN. “The NBA is full of nepotism. The ownership level, front offices, coaching.”

Meanwhile, co-host Stephen A. Smith nodded in agreement and repeated “full of it” as Wojnarowski made his comments.

“I don’t want to hear about it anymore because Bronny James’ dad plays for the Lakers,” the NBA insider continued. “It’s rampant in this league.”