Bronny James averaged 21.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists over 11 games in the G League regular season.
Bronny James, the offspring of NBA legend LeBron James and a deep second-round selection in the 2024 Draft, just wrapped up his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
The 20-year-old arrived as arguably the most famous No. 55 pick in history and performed (or alternately, sat) through one of the most scrutinized first seasons ever for someone chosen so late. James never did grab a rung on NBA.com’s Kia Rookie Ladder, but as his opportunities and experiences piled up, he took several steps – and even a couple of strides – toward his basketball dream.
What we learned
As a 6-foot-2 shooting guard, James was going to face mismatches most times he touched the floor in the NBA. That wasn’t always the case in the G League, and the difference was apparent in his production.
In 23 appearances of spot duty with the Lakers, Bronny has averaged 2.3 points, 0.6 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 0.2 steals in 5.9 minutes. His other 52 game nights: Inactive or DNPs.
The G League season was split into two parts: A Tip-Off Tournament that ran for 16 games from Nov. 9 until Dec. 21, then the regular season from Dec. 27 through Saturday.
In the former, James played seven times, averaging 13.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 27 minutes. In the latter, his results were even better: 11 games, 21.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.9 steals in 34.2 minutes. He shot 37.4% overall and 21.2% on 3s in that Tip-off Tournament, but he improved to 44.3% and 38% in the regular season.
Bronny James could not be stopped! The @Lakers draftee recorded a career-high in scoring and posted his third 30+ point performance this season. 👏🙌 pic.twitter.com/kxLaaZsVSs
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) March 25, 2025
“From the start of the year till now, you can see there’s been improvement,” one NBA advance scout said. “I’d say it’s been a pretty positive season for him.”
Said another: “One game I saw, he looked out of place. Another, he was better. The games he’s played have pretty much been [blowouts], so I’ve seen him more in full-court transition than in half-court execution. The game he had against Milwaukee [17 points on March 20] was never close and the Lakers were hurting for bodies.”
Considering that James’ one season in college came on the heels of a scary heart condition – he went into cardiac arrest during an offseason workout on July 24, 2023, and was hospitalized for three days – it was hard to draw conclusions from his modest stats: 4.8 ppg on 36% shooting, averaging 19.3 minutes at age 19.
Certainly, those were meager accomplishments for someone drafted in the second round and promptly signed to a four-year, $7.9 million fully guaranteed contract. His season could have peaked when he checked into the Lakers’ season opener with LeBron in the second quarter, becoming the first father-son combo to play together in NBA history.
But Bronny kept working and showing up.
Best G League games
- March 24 vs. Santa Cruz Warriors, a 122-118 victory: Four days after posting his NBA scoring high of 17 in a shorthanded Lakers effort against Milwaukee, Bronny opened eyes further with his biggest output of the G League season. He hit 14 of 21 shots, including half of his eight 3-point attempts, for 39 points in 38 minutes. He added seven rebounds, four assists and four steals, with seven turnovers, and was a plus-19 in the four-point victory.
- Jan. 24 vs. Rip City Remix, a 122-110 victory: Leading five teammates who also scored in double figures, James went off for 31 points with two boards, three assists and three steals. He shot 5-of-11 each on 2-pointers and on 3-pointers and was a plus-12.
- Dec. 12 vs. Valley Suns, a 106-100 loss: James scored in double figures for the first time in his third G League game and shot to 30 in this, his fourth one. He made 13 of his 23 shots but only three of his nine tries from beyond the arc. He also had three rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and one turnover in 25 minutes.
What they’re saying
Lakers coach JJ Redick: “I think his confidence is growing. … I think the next step is just becoming an elite-conditioned athlete. Because when [he] does that, with his physical tools and his burst and his handle – and we think he’s going to be an above-average to really good NBA shooter – he’s going to have a chance to really make an impact.”
More Redick: “I’ve just been impressed with the person that he is. And to deal with, frankly, bull—- because of who his dad is and just keep a level head about it and be a class act, says a lot about him.”
L.A. general manager Rob Pelinka: “It’s great that JJ had the level of trust to throw him into a big game the other night at Denver [March 14], which is a tough place to play. And he got in the game, made a couple defensive plays, made a corner 3, and I think that’s what he prides himself in is the 3-and-D type of archetype. And for him to be doing it in moments in NBA games, that’s great that he’s even grasped that already.”
Former NBA forward Carmelo Anthony, a James family friend: “In a couple years, Bronny is going to be a real NBA player. Like, a real, real solid NBA player.”
Bronny James, after scoring 39 points to help South Bay beat Santa Cruz at the G League team’s arena in El Segundo, Calif.: “Just that I belong out there, that’s all I’m trying to prove. A lot of people say I don’t, but I just come out, work every day, try to get better every day and prove myself every day. … All the criticism that’s thrown my way, it’s just amazing to shut all that down and keep going.”
What’s next
Statistically, James exceeded official expectations as an NBA rookie. As of Tuesday, he ranked 42nd in points from the Class of 2024, 46th in rebounds, 41st in assists and 44th in minutes, all by a guy drafted 55th. Five members of his class haven’t participated in a game at all.
Among recent draftees taken in that slot, James probably best compares to Golden State’s Gui Santos. The 6-foot-8 power forward arrived in 2022, spent his first season in the G League, and made his NBA debut on Nov. 18, 2023. He has averaged 4.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 72 games over the past two seasons.
The gold standard among recent No. 55 picks is OKC’s Aaron Wiggins, who was 22 when he was drafted out of Maryland. Now in his fourth season, the 6-foot-6 wing is averaging 11.7 points and 3.8 rebounds for the league’s winningest team. And last July, Wiggins signed a five-year, $45 million contract extension.
The best player ever drafted 55th? Wiggins might claim the title eventually. But for now, it’s Patty Mills, the 2009 pick by Portland who made his NBA bones in a decade with San Antonio. Now with the Clippers in his 16th season, Mills ranks first among all players picked at his spot in games, minutes, points, assists and steals.
Bronny James can work toward that status while carrying all the pros and cons of his bloodline and surname.
“Can he play in the NBA? Absolutely,” said one of the scouts who assessed the young man’s potential. “Will he be a star? Probably not, but being a role player in this league isn’t bad.
“My biggest question about him this season was, why didn’t he play 35 G League games instead of just [18]? He could only have gotten more confidence there, which he could carry to the Lakers next season.”
* * *
Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery.
