Bronny James to Wear No. 9 Lakers Jersey After Joining LeBron in 2024 NBA Draft
June 28, 2024
Bronny James will wear No. 9 during his upcoming rookie year with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Los Angeles selected James with the No. 55 overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft on Thursday following one season at USC. He joins Lakers superstar LeBron James as the first ever active father-son duo in the association.
The team also announced that former Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles' first-round pick at No. 17, will wear No. 4 during his inaugural season with the team.
James is the first Laker to wear No. 9 since forward Sterling Brown sported the same digit during the 2022-23 season. Brown appeared in just four games with Los Angeles, failing to record a point. The number was also worn by former four-time All-Star Rajon Rondo during the team's championship-winning season in 2020.
The 19-year-old James struggled with inconsistency during his brief freshman season with the Trojans as he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 36.6 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from three. It's worth noting that James wasn't able to start the season on the floor with his teammates after he underwent a heart procedure that delayed his debut.
He improved his stock throughout the pre-draft process, easing concerns about his jumper with an impressive shooting performance at the NBA draft combine.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka acknowledged the history being made after he selected James on Thursday.
"We know, and have to respect of course, that LeBron has a decision on his opt-out ... but if it worked out that he was on our team next season, NBA history could be made," Pelinka said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "And NBA history should be made in a Lakers uniform."
The elder James still hasn't made a decision regarding his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season, although he may be open to returning in order to play alongside his son.
The former Trojan will begin his Lakers journey during California Classic Summer League action, with Los Angeles' first game set for July 6.