Bronny James, LeBron's teenage son, selected by Lakers in NBA draft

Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, was selected 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the NBA draft on Thursday.

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James, the 39-year-old Lakers point guard and four-time NBA champion, said he would like to play alongside his son next season — in what would be the first father-son combination. in NBA history.

James, a guard from the University of Southern California, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Trojans last season after a stellar high school career and also impressed scouts at an NBA combine.

During a practice last July, James, a USC freshman, collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest caused by a congenital heart defect.

The teenager was released from hospital a few days later and doctors cleared him to play both in American college basketball and, last month, in the NBA.

The younger James is considered a top defensive prospect with elite athleticism and strong instincts for the game, but he may need time to fully develop as an NBA player.

LeBron James has until Saturday to choose the final year of his contract with the Lakers or become a free agent, which would not prevent him from re-signing a new contract with the Lakers.

ESPN reported that agent Rich Paul warned teams ahead of the Lakers in the draft order that Bronny James would play in Australia rather than deal with certain clubs.

The Lakers held the second-to-last pick in the NBA Draft, and there was concern that other clubs would use a higher pick on James, to see if they could work out a trade deal with the Lakers for James or the pick.

The Phoenix Suns, who did not own a second-round pick due to a free agency tampering violation, were the only team other than the Lakers to work out with Bronny James before the draft.

– 'That says it all' –

Frenchman Zacharie Risacher was selected Wednesday with the first pick in the NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks.

International prospects selected early in the second round included 19-year-old Australian swingman Johnny Furphy, selected 35th by San Antonio but reportedly traded to Indiana, and 20-year-old Spanish guard Juan Nunez, a passing maestro for Germany's Ulm, taken 36th by Indiana.

Swedish forward Bobi Klintman was taken 37th by Minnesota, but was expected to be traded to Detroit. He averaged 9.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for the Cairns Taipans of the Australian League last season.

Belgian guard Ajay Mitchell went 38th to New York but was expected to be traded to Oklahoma City.

Adem Bona, a Nigerian pivot, was chosen 41st by the Philadelphia 76ers and should support Cameroonian star Joel Embiid.

“It means everything to me to be here right now,” Bona said.

Serbian forward Nikola Djurisic was selected by Miami at No. 43 but is expected to be sent to Atlanta, while Swedish guard Pelle Larsson went to Houston at No. 44.

French striker Melvin Ajinca, who celebrated his 20th birthday on Monday, traveled to New York with the 51st selection. He averaged 9.7 points in the French championship last season.

Quinten Post, a 7-foot (2.13 m) Dutch center, went 52nd to Golden State but was expected to be traded to Oklahoma City.

Ulrich Chomche, an 18-year-old forward from Cameroon, went to Memphis with the 57th pick and Dallas selected German center Ariel Hukporti with the 58th and final pick.

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