LeBron James believes Bronny James’ development has “skyrocketed” during his rookie NBA season.

James was asked about his son on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday after Bronny scored a career-high 17 points in the NBA and 39 points in the G League in a span of five days.

“For me as a dad, I’m just super proud of him, period, as a young man,” James told McAfee. “For me as a mentor, and a teammate of his that wants to see him thrive because I’ve seen the work he’s put into the game, I am super proud of his development to where he is now.”
James continued: “His development has skyrocketed.”

“For me as a dad I’m just super proud of Bronny as a man..

As a mentor and as a teammate of his I’m super proud of his development as a player” @KingJames #PMSLive https://t.co/LeuG0HFuGs pic.twitter.com/bTEYJqlOmj

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2025

“I was floating going out on the floor with Bronny for that home opener..

That was such an unbelievable moment for our entire family” ~ @KingJames #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Mkk2Jh565O

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 26, 2025

Bronny joined the Lakers as the No. 55 pick after recovering from cardiac arrest in 2023 to play an abbreviated freshman season at USC.

He recorded a career-high 17 points last Thursday with multiple Los Angeles Lakers sidelined by injuries, although the Lakers were outscored overall when he was on the floor in a blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.

BRONNY JAMES CUTS IT TO SINGLE DIGITS!!

LeBron and the Lakers bench loving it 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/cTjguHDnNZ

— NBA (@NBA) March 21, 2025

After returning to the G League, Bronny posted 39 points and seven rebounds in a South Bay Lakers victory over the Santa Cruz Warriors. James celebrated his son’s performance on social media after the win:
This uptick in scoring is a good sign not only for the Lakers’ hopes of Bronny taking the rare path from No. 55 pick to a full-time NBA player, but for the franchise’s aspirations of keeping his father in Los Angeles.

James, who currently holds a player option for the 2025-26 campaign, has not yet committed to playing past this season. The prospect of getting more playing time along with his son could increase the odds that James returns for another run with the Lakers next fall.