Sophia Michaels
While being LeBron James’ son provides certain benefits, Bronny James has faced his own hurdles. Officially named LeBron James Jr., Bronny followed in his father’s footsteps into the basketball world, but not without difficulties. LeBron expressed his regrets about naming his son after him during an episode of HBO’s “The Shop” in July 2018. As Bronny neared his high school graduation, LeBron began to shine a spotlight on his son’s skills, even tweeting in March 2023 about how talented Bronny was compared to other NBA players. From a young age, Bronny captured fans’ attention.
Bronny’s talent was evident early; a video of him playing basketball at age 10 gained significant attention in February 2015. He stood out further by choosing a different jersey number than LeBron. During his freshman year at Sierra Canyon, crowds gathered to watch him play.
By the time he reached high school, Bronny signed a significant name-image-likeness deal with Nike. He remarked, “Nike’s been a part of my family for as long as I can remember,” as reported by ESPN. In March 2023, as he was finishing high school, his NIL valuation was estimated at $7.2 million according to Sports Illustrated. With such a promising future ahead, Bronny faced a sudden tragedy during his college journey.
Bronny James experienced cardiac arrest
After high school, Bronny enrolled at the University of Southern California. Tragically, before his first game, he collapsed during a practice session due to cardiac arrest in July 2023. A 911 call revealed the urgent situation, as a voice frantically requested an ambulance. USC assistant coach Eric Mobley described the incident, initially believing Bronny was experiencing a seizure.
Fortunately, Bronny’s condition stabilized, and he was discharged from Mount Cedars-Sinai hospital within days. Although he was recovering, LeBron later discussed his son’s health, mentioning that Bronny had started rehabilitation after a successful surgery, but did not elaborate on the specifics.
By November 2023, just four months post-incident, Bronny was officially cleared to play again, although coaches opted for a cautious approach to his return. In January 2024, Bronny expressed gratitude for the support from his family and coaching staff during his recovery, acknowledging the challenges he faced on the court.
LeBron James steals the spotlight at his son’s game
Teenagers often feel embarrassed by their parents, and Bronny experienced this firsthand. At a July 2019 AAU tournament, the then-14-year-old had his father LeBron steal the show, as he joined in on the team’s warm-up layup line. Footage of LeBron performing several impressive dunks quickly went viral. He further distracted attention during the game by running onto the court to celebrate a teammate’s score, all while losing a shoe in the process.
LeBron stepped into the warm-up line quickly
(courtesy of qwik11hoops/IG) pic.twitter.com/3gtkS7PjPM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 27, 2019
LeBron’s enthusiastic behavior during warm-ups attracted criticism from sports analysts. Jason Whitlock, speaking on Fox Sports 1’s “Speak For Yourself,” remarked, “LeBron thinks he’s making fatherhood appealing again, but I feel otherwise,” highlighting his concern that the NBA star overshadowed his son, Bronny. Additionally, Skip Bayless from FS1 criticized the spectacle, calling it embarrassing for both LeBron and Bronny, and suggesting that LeBron was seeking attention. Fans echoed similar sentiments online, noting that neither Kobe Bryant nor Michael Jordan would have acted in such a manner at a youth game.
As Bronny matured, he faced challenges beyond mere insults on social media.
Over-the-Top Taunting
Even without LeBron at his games, Bronny’s high school matchups were quite the event. In November 2021, at an away game, some spectators crossed the line by mocking him. A group of fans brought a Chinese flag featuring a badly edited image of LeBron crying, a meme that was circulating widely. This ridicule followed criticisms from NBA player Enes Kanter regarding LeBron’s ties with Nike and its practices in China.
Videos of this mocking gained traction on social media, with many suggesting that Bronny faced unique challenges due to his father’s fame. Comments included phrases like “sometimes it’s tough being the king’s son,” and “he better get accustomed to it.” Yet some felt the Chinese flag stunt was excessive, with one fan commenting, “That was a bit too far for me.”
Despite facing constant heckling, Bronny held his head high.
Bronny James Faces Scrutiny and Criticism
Controversial College Career
After finishing high school, Bronny James faced significant attention and criticism during his college basketball career. At a match in February 2024 between USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins, he was subject to chants like “overrated” and “who’s your daddy.” As these reactions gained traction online, some fans suggested that his future in the NBA hinged solely on his father’s fame. This narrative persisted even after Bronny was drafted.
Bronny’s journey continued as he was picked by the Los Angeles Lakers, where his father, LeBron James, also plays, at the 55th overall spot in the 2024 NBA Draft. This happened after a disappointing season at USC, where he averaged just 4.8 points per game. Expecting to carve out his own legacy, Bronny had expressed his aspirations to make a name for himself and to play in the NBA. Many critics argued that nepotism was the primary reason behind his selection, especially when he signed a lucrative four-year contract with the Lakers, a rare feat for a late draft pick.
Reactions were mixed regarding Bronny’s opportunity to play alongside LeBron. While some voiced their discontent, others defended him by highlighting the prevalence of nepotism in professional sports. Even LeBron acknowledged the potential for awkwardness in their dynamic, joking about how he wanted Bronny to refer to him by his first name during games. Additionally, Bronny faced criticism not just for his basketball skills but for his behavior off the court.
Backlash Over Personal Life
In his time at school, Bronny was the target of racial remarks due to his relationship with Peyton Gelfuso, a white girl. The controversy began when he appeared in a TikTok video with her, prompting a wave of harsh comments on social media. This negativity escalated when the couple attended prom together in May 2022, with some people making derogatory statements about their relationship, leading former NFL player Robert Griffin III to urge the public to respect the young couple’s privacy.
The criticism continued in May 2023 when Bronny took Gelfuso to his senior prom. His mother shared moments from his prom preparation on Instagram, which reignited derogatory comments online. The insensitivity displayed by some users was evident as they continued to make offensive remarks about Bronny’s relationship choices, demonstrating a troubling trend of racism and bullying directed at him.
