The son of Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James, and a 2024 NBA Draft hopeful, Bronny James, talked about the challenges of being the son of an NBA legend.

“It’s tough,” the younger James said. “A lot of criticism gets thrown my way. But, I gotta deal with it. They don’t know what I’ve been through. I try to make the best of my opportunities that’s given to me.”

After spending just one season at the University of Southern California, the younger James is aiming to make it into the NBA through this year’s draft.

The NBA’s Fitness to Play tribunal certified him as medically fit to play. The teenage guard had a heart episode and fainted during a Trojans practice in July of last year. The younger James eventually made a comeback to the court and contributed valuable minutes to USC’s rotation despite missing the beginning of his rookie season.

In 2023–24, James, the younger, shot 26.7 percent from beyond the arc and 36.6 percent from the field, averaging 2.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.8 points a game. During his rookie campaign, he scored ten or more points for the Trojans three separate times.

Even while these figures might not scream out at you, the USC product’s draft stock has recently increased.

“This was a positive week in Chicago for Bronny James,” ESPN’s Jonathan Givony said. “He’s moved into the late second round of our latest projections. We’re going to have him at 54 in our next update. That’s all the way from the back end of our top 100.

“Talking to NBA people out here, they feel like he’s legitimized himself as a real NBA prospect.”

There are a lot of demands on the younger James to demonstrate that he belongs at the next level, so it can’t be easy being the son of one of the greatest players in NBA history.

In the 2003 NBA Draft, the older James—a four-time NBA champion and the league’s all-time top scorer—was selected with the first overall pick. Even though the younger James might not be selected all that highly, it seems like NBA personnel are taking notice of him.

Fortunately for the former Trojan, he has an excellent mentor in his father who can guide him through the NBA.

In late June of 2024, the younger James is expected to hear his name called in the NBA Draft.