CHICAGO – The son of Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, 19-year-old USC guard Bronny James, faced a swarm of media at the NBA draft combine. Despite the spotlight as LeBron’s son, Bronny expressed his goal of simply making it to the NBA, downplaying any focus on playing alongside his father.

Acknowledging the scrutiny that comes with being LeBron James’ son, Bronny emphasized that his priority is to carve out his own path in the league. He distanced himself from comparisons and highlighted players like Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Davion Mitchell as models for excelling in their roles on the court.

Bronny’s journey to the NBA was momentarily paused due to a cardiac arrest and a subsequent procedure to repair a congenital heart defect. However, he recently received medical clearance to resume playing, demonstrating resilience and a gratitude for the opportunity to pursue his basketball career.

Despite facing challenges with his health affecting his freshman season performance at USC, Bronny’s determination and family support have fueled his comeback. As he navigates the decision to declare for the NBA Draft, Bronny reflects on the impact of his heart scare and the unwavering love and belief from his parents.

With the draft looming and a looming decision deadline, Bronny remains contemplative about his next steps. Balancing his aspirations with the lessons learned from his health scare, he aims to make a well-thought-out choice that aligns with his heart’s desires and future prospects in the basketball realm.