LeBron James defends his eldest son’s work ethic!
On Monday, the NBA legend, 39, took to Xu (formerly known as Twitter) to express his frustrations over speculation about his son Bronny’s professional basketball career, USA Today reports, New York Post and TMJ.
The 19-year-old, currently a freshman at USC, was removed from ESPN’s 2024 Mock NBA Draft.The college player is projected to be selected in 2025.
“Can you please let the kid be a kid and enjoy college basketball,” the Lakers star wrote in a now-deleted X post, USA Today reported. “The performance and the results will ultimately speak to whatever he decides to do.” If you don’t know he doesn’t care about writing a mock draft, he just WORKS! Earned, not given!”
“And for all the other kids out there who aspire to be great, just keep your head down, put on your blinders and keep grinding,” the four-time NBA champion continued. “These fake blueprints are not important at all! I promise you! Only work matters!! Let’s talk REAL BASKETBALL PEOPLE!”
LeBron James was ‘almost brought to tears’ by his mom Gloria while watching son Bronny’s basketball game
Bronny James on October 19, 2023 at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA.
Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
ESPN NBA draft analyst Jonathan Givony explained to Malika Andrews on NBA Today that he “still loves Bronny James’ game.”
“We have to remember that this kid missed four months with a heart problem, starting in July, that really ruined his season,” Givony said of Bronny’s July 2023 cardiac arrest during a practice at USC.
“He’s one of the best defenders in the freshman class,” Givony said. “If Bronny James comes back for his second season, we’re going to see a completely different guy. We’re going to see someone who could really be a lottery pick going forward.”
LeBron James celebrates son Bronny’s birthday.
LeBron James/Instagram
After Bronny’s health scare, he was later diagnosed with an “anatomically and functionally significant congenital heart defect.” He underwent surgery to correct the problem and missed the first eight games of the current college basketball season.
Since then, Bronny has averaged 5.5 points on 37.1% shooting, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 19 games this season. He is also averaging 20.2 minutes per game, USA Today reports.
LeBron James ‘super excited’ for son Bronny’s USC basketball debut after cardiac arrest
At the time of Bronny’s debut in December, LeBron told reporters that his son’s first NCAA game “was all about [the James] family.”
“It was just an emotional, exhausting day, from the time we all woke up to the time the buzzer hit zero,” LeBron said. “I think the most important thing is, who cares about win or lose, the kid stood tall and stood strong at the end of the game, and that’s a blessing in itself, and that’s a win.”
In addition to Bronny, LeBron and his wife Savannah James share Bryce Maximus (16) and Zhuri Nova (9).
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education