Moment Bronny James gets THE CALL from LeBron’s Lakers and new head coach JJ Redick: ‘You’re going to have a long NBA career’
Los Angeles Lakers new head coach JJ Redick believes Bronny James will have a “long NBA career.”
On Thursday, the Lakers made headlines by selecting the son of their star player LeBron James with the 55th pick in the NBA Draft.
Less than 24 hours later, the team posted a clip on social media of Redick and general manager Rob Pelinka speaking with LeBron’s junior over the phone before the pick was made official.
“Bronny, this is JJ. I just wanted to congratulate you, man,” Redick says over the speaker. ‘Your hard work has paid off. You’re going to have a long NBA career and I can’t wait to coach you, man.”
“I appreciate it, coach,” Bronny replied.
Lakers coach JJ Redick told 55th pick Bronny James he’s going to have a ‘long NBA career’
The Purple and Gold drafted Bronny after his lone season at the University of Southern California, making him and LeBron the league’s first father-and-son duo.
As a freshman, the former Sierra Canyon star played in 25 games and made six starts for the Trojans. In his lone collegiate campaign, Bronny averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists as his team finished with a 15-18 record, which placed them ninth in the Pac-12.
Still, Bronny entered the draft in a manner that reflected his numbers from his second-round selection.
“I think you’ve worked incredibly hard, man,” Pelinka told the rookie. “You’ve put in a lot of work. When we had lunch at the facility before your workout, we talked about your work ethic and that means a lot to us.”
The Lakers selected Bronny with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Thursday night
Bronny and LeBron James become first father and son duo to play together in the NBA
In his 20th season, LeBron averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists for the Lakers
“I think you’re a high-character player and a high-character person, and that’s valued at the Lakers,” he continued. “It’s important for coach Redick and I to let you know that those qualities really shine through.”
“And so the Lakers are going to draft you with the 55th pick.”
The Lakers lost 4-1 to the Denver Nuggets in the opening round of the NBA playoffs last season.
Bronny averaged just 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games for the Trojans
After failing to sign Dan Hurley from UConn, the Lakers gave JJ Redick the head coaching job
Prior to that, Bronny’s father and current teammate averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists while hitting 54 percent of his shots in his 20th season in the league.
Redick got the job with the Lakers after UConn coach Dan Hurley turned down a lucrative offer from the team.
The NBA guard turned media personality has no previous coaching experience in the NBA, but signed a four-year contract worth $8 million per season.