Bronnie James, the Los Angeles Lakers guard, has been working hard over the past year to bounce back from lingering issues related to his heart condition. He’s aiming to prove himself worthy of a spot in Coach JJ Redick’s lineup.
Bronnie, son of NBA star LeBron James, suffered a cardiac arrest two years ago attributed to a congenital heart defect. He had surgery ahead of his freshman year at USC, leaving a noticeable scar on his chest.
“Honestly, I’m feeling a bit under the weather right now,” Bronnie, who’s 20, shared while at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. “It’s a bit strange, but I think my immune system has been a bit out of whack, so I sometimes need to just get outside for fresh air.”
This bout of illness kept him out of training for a week during the summer. He participated in the California Classics earlier this month, but his time on the court was limited, especially in his second game.
Redick noted that Bronnie, who was selected 55th overall by the Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft, needs to strengthen his body to move to the next level.
“The key for Bronnie is evolving into an elite player; that’s his current hurdle,” Redick told ESPN. “If he accomplishes that, there’s potential for him to shine in the NBA. We’ve certainly seen some impressive flashes from him.”
“He’s cleared now… I know there’s a lot of history surrounding the serious challenges he faced,” Redick added.
During his rookie season, Bronnie appeared in 27 NBA games, averaging just 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, shooting 31.3% from the field and 28.1% from beyond the arc.
As he moved between the Lakers and their G-League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, he managed to average 21.9 points with a shooting percentage of 44.3% and 38.0% from three-point territory.
“Honestly, my mind is pretty scattered,” Bronnie admitted. “There’s just so much going on in Vegas. Personally, I’m not a fan of the summer league vibe; I prefer real competition. I’m just not keen on being here.”
South Bay Lakers coach Zach Guthrie mentioned that he’s noticed positive changes in Bronnie’s health and emphasized the importance of proper nutrition and sleep.
“His conditioning is like a basketball investment; you need daily contributions,” Guthrie explained. “Sure, he might face setbacks, but if he stays focused and committed, he’ll be fine.”
Bronnie’s training regimen includes interval workouts like Verja Climbing sessions, stationary bike sessions, and windsprints. He also incorporates a targeted shooting drill, aiming to make 80 out of 105 shots.
Redick has been committed to helping Bronnie develop his skills since the Lakers’ season ended in April, following their playoff loss to the Timberwolves.
Gabe Vincent, a fellow guard for the Lakers, expressed admiration for Bronnie’s work ethic during the previous season.
Meanwhile, discussions swirl around LeBron James, who turns 41 in December. Rumors suggest he’s eyeing the Lakers after his agent, Rich Paul, recently talked about LeBron’s acceptance of a $52.6 million player option.
Last week, LeBron was spotted enjoying time with his wife Savannah and business partner Maverick Carter in southern France.
“LeBron aims to compete for another championship,” Paul mentioned to ESPN last month. “He knows the Lakers are planning for the future, but he values the chance to win again. This franchise has been instrumental in his journey.”
“We’re acutely aware of balancing the pursuit of a title while looking ahead. It’s about figuring out what LeBron needs at this stage of his career.”
As he prepares for his 23rd season, LeBron holds a non-trade clause in his contract.
