LeBron James shared that a significant factor in his sons Bronnie and Bryce’s growth in basketball has been his decision to step back from their coaching experiences, avoiding involvement in how they were trained.
In a recent episode of the “Mind the Game” podcast, the Lakers star expressed that he believes accountability should rest more with the coaching staff than with teammates.
“I’ve never been involved in my sons’ coaching,” James, 40, mentioned. “From Bronnie’s upbringing to where he is now [in the NBA], and with Bryce headed to the University of Arizona. I haven’t attended practices or called any coaches.”
“I think as a coach, you should be there for my son and hold him accountable, more than just speaking to other kids.” His underlying message seems to focus on the importance of character development, which he sees as vital for reaching this stage of their lives.
Bronnie, who distinguished himself as a prominent player at Sierra Canyon High School, spent a season at USC before being drafted by the Lakers as the 55th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The duo made history as the first father-son pair in the NBA.
The 20-year-old had a rocky start during the Summer League but later showed glimpses of promise at the beginning of his rookie season. In 27 NBA games, he averaged 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, though his shooting numbers were just below average.
He transitioned between the Lakers and their G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, where he averaged 21.9 points with more effective shooting splits.
Bronnie faced challenges after suffering a cardiac arrest during a practice session in July 2023, leading him to miss the first eight games of his freshman year at USC. In that solitary season, he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over 25 games.
Bryce, standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and currently a senior at Sierra Canyon, committed to the Wildcats earlier this year and previously transferred back to Sierra Canyon after a stint at Campbell Hall High School.
LeBron and his wife Savannah also have a daughter, Zhuri, who celebrated her 11th birthday in October.
As for LeBron, the four-time NBA champion holds a $52.6 million player option for the next season, as he approaches his 41st birthday in December. He mentioned that he would discuss his future in basketball with his family after the Lakers’ season concluded.
