NBA

LeBron James shows up to watch son Bronny play at 2024 NBA draft combine

LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James watches his son Bronny James during the 2024 NBA Draft Combine 5-on-5 basketball game between TeamSt. Andrews and Team Love in Chicago, Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Bronny James‘ famous father was on hand Wednesday to watch him play at the NBA draft combine.

LeBron James showed up wearing a black hoodie and sat in the second row for Bronny’s second and final scrimmage of the combine.

LeBron James
Bronny James (50), second from left, drives to the basket past Cam Spencer, left, during the 2024 NBA basketball Draft Combine in Chicago, Tuesday, May 14, 2024.AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

The NBA’s career scoring leader, his wife and daughter were frequent spectators for Bronny’s games at Southern California last season. LeBron James has said repeatedly he would like to team with his son. The four-time MVP and four-time NBA champion just completed his 21st season and could become a free agent if he opts out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. But he also said following a season-ending loss to Denver that he hasn’t “given much thought lately” to playing alongside his son.

Bronny James is deciding whether to turn pro after one college season. He declared for the draft and entered the transfer portal on April 5.

Bronny James was one of the nation’s top prospects when he decided to stay near home and committed to USC last May out of Sierra Canyon School in nearby Chatsworth. But things took an unexpected turn last summer.

LeBron James
FILE – Southern California’s Bronny James (6) drives up the court against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament Wednesday, March 13, 2024, in Las Vegas. NBA teams were told Monday, May 13, 2024, that Bronny James, the son of the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, has been medically cleared to play in the league and is expected to participate in the draft combine this week, a person with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press.AP Photo/John Locher, File

James went into cardiac arrest because of a congenital heart defect during a basketball workout at USC in late July and needed surgery. He missed the first month of the season. He averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games for the Trojans.