PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 11: Bronny James
#0 of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers is greeted by his father and NBA player LeBron James after defeating the the Perry Pumas in the Hoophall West tournament at Footprint Center on December 11, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LeBron James has been the face of the NBA for nearly two decades. His era may be winding down but his family isn’t going anywhere.
Of all the remarkable things about LeBron James‘ career, his longevity may come to define him. In his 19th NBA season, he averaged more than 30 points per game and even received an MVP vote. Only 23 other players in NBA history have managed a 19-season career and, for comparison, James averaged more points in his year-19 season than Dirk Nowitzki and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did in theirs, combined.
LeBron seems to have a few good years still in front of him but even as his career winds down it’s clear his influence isn’t waning. His sons, Bronny and Bryce are NBA-bound hoopers who could be extending his legacy well beyond his own retirement.
When will Bronny James and Bryce James make the NBA?
Bronny James, a 6-foot-3 guard, has been on NBA radars for years. He will turn 18 in October, is entering his senior year at Sierra Canyon and is rated as a four-star recruit by most prospect ranking services. He has already reportedly received a scholarship offer from the University of Kentucky and will first be draft-eligible in the 2024 NBA Draft. LeBron has already alluded to the idea of hanging around long enough to see Bronny get drafted and have a chance for them to play together. That draft is a long way away but he’s currently seen as a late-first-round prospect, for whatever that is worth years in advance.
Bryce will turn 15 later this week but is already reportedly an inch taller than Bronny and, according to Brian Windhorst, is seen as a better long-term prospect by some scouts.
Bryce would be draft-eligible in 2026 and, honestly, it’s not impossible to imagine that LeBron could still be around and healthy enough play with both his sons.