Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images
Bronny James will be staying close to home for college and keeping it in the family.
The eldest son of NBA legend LeBron James announced on Instagram that he is committed to playing basketball at USC.
The decision keeps Bronny close to his Los Angeles home and also keeps him in the Nike family. LeBron has a lifetime contract with the shoe and lifestyle brand and Bronny has already signed an NIL deal with Nike.
This is just the latest move in the fabulous life of a teenager who now appears to be destined for NBA stardom.
Bronny’s dad, LeBron James, is one of the most accomplished players in NBA history.
Michael Jordan and LeBron James. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
The four-time NBA champion, four-time league MVP, and 19-time All-Star is officially the NBA’s all-time scoring champion, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s points record in February 2023.
He is the player most often mentioned along with Michael Jordan in the debate over NBA GOAT.
LeBron is also one of the wealthiest athletes ever.
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
LeBron is one of the first athletes to become a billionaire. In addition to his growing off-court ventures, he has made $432 million during his 20-year NBA career. He also signed a two-year, $97 million extension with the Lakers, which will give him $141 million over the next three years and make him the highest-earning player in the history of the NBA.
Bronny is oldest of three children.
Bronny (next to LeBron) recently celebrated his senior night with his younger brother, Bryce; his mom, Savannah; and little sister, Zhuri.
Bronny, whose real name is LeBron James Jr., is turning into quite the ballplayer himself.
LeBron James wants to play with Bronny. Jay LaPrete/AP Images
Bronny reportedly considered three different Division I programs — all sponsored by Nike, of course — for his collegiate basketball career: 1) USC, which is close to his LA home, friends, and family; 2) Ohio State, Akron native LeBron’s favorite school; and 3) Oregon, which has the strongest ties to Nike, with CEO Phil Knight a major booster.
One school notably absent from Bronny’s list was Duke.
Mike Krzyzewski and LeBron James. Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
Duke was not on the list, even though the school had long been considered a favorite to land Bronny James due to LeBron James’ admiration of famed coach Mike Krzyzewski. In 2018, LeBron defended Coach K from criticism with a social media comment that read: “Love Coach K! The absolute BEST! Hope he’s still at the helm when my boy comes up.”
Unfortunately for Duke, though, Krzyzewski retired after the 2021-22 season, and the currently unranked Blue Devils were not a candidate for Bronny.
Bronny eventually chose to stay close to home, picking USC.
LeBron spoke about the decision during a post-game press conference.
“I’m proud of him,” LeBron said. “This is an incredible thing. Unless it was one of my great-grandmothers or great-grandfathers or someone way before my time, to my knowledge this is the first one out of the James Gang to go to college.
“Obviously, his dad didn’t go to school. His mom didn’t go to college. My mom maybe stepped on campus for a little bit, maybe a community college or something, but she had [me] running around, so she couldn’t spend much time in the classroom. It’s very, very, very, very exciting, very humbling, and a great moment for our family.”
LeBron has said that it’s his goal to play in the NBA with his son.
LeBron and Bronny James. Photo by Getty Images
“I need to be on the floor with my boy, I got to be on the floor with Bronny,” James told ESPN. “Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him. I don’t mean like [guarding each other all game] — because he’s a point guard and I’m a, at this point now I’m playing center or whatever the team needs from me. But I would love to do the whole Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. thing. That would be ideal for sure.”
LeBron recently declared that his son is already better than some NBA players.
Bronny and Bryce recently faced off against Carmelo Anthony’s son.Bryce James, LeBron James, Bronny James, Carmelo Anthony and Kiyan Anthony pose together at the Sierra Canyon vs Christ The King boys basketball game at Sierra Canyon High School. Cassy Athena/Getty Images
The game brought the families full-circle as LeBron and Melo were drafted in the same year and later played together for Team USA and the Lakers. While Anthony is a free agent, he was still hoping to play during the 2022-23 season, making him the only player from that legendary draft still active in the NBA.
Bronny might only be the second-best James prospect.
Before the most recent projections, there was some thought that younger brother Bryce might turn out to be the better hooper. One advantage he has is that he is already taller than Bronny despite being three years younger than his 18-year-old sibling.
Bronny is said to have the highest NIL value among athletes.Instagram/Bronny
On3’s NIL rankings give Bronny an NIL value of $7.4 million, tops on their list and more than twice as much as the next athletes, LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne ($3.5 million). James has 12.8 million combined followers on Instagram and TikTok.
