Early Life and Education of Bronny James: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Bronny James. A timeline of key moments.

Bronny James Jr. is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA. As a highly-rated high school player, he was named a McDonald's All-American in 2023. He played college basketball for one season at USC before being drafted by the Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft. Notably, he is the son of LeBron James Sr., and they are the first active father-son duo to play together in the NBA.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2013: Parents' Marriage

In 2013, Bronny James's parents, LeBron James and Savannah Brinson, got married, formalizing their long-term relationship.

July 2018: Youth Game Cancellation

In July 2018, a youth basketball game featuring Bronny James was canceled after a fan heckled his father, LeBron James, and was denied entrance to the game.

August 6, 2018: Enrollment at Crossroads School

On August 6, 2018, Bronny James enrolled at Crossroads School in Santa Monica, California, for his education.

May 2019: Instagram Account Creation

In May 2019, Bronny James started an Instagram account and reached one million followers in his first day on the platform.

May 29, 2019: Transfer to Sierra Canyon School

On May 29, 2019, Bronny James transferred to Sierra Canyon School for his freshman year of high school, joining his brother and Zaire Wade.

January 17, 2023: Reported College Options

On January 17, 2023, the Los Angeles Times reported that Bronny James was considering attending college at Ohio State, Oregon, or USC, indicating the final contenders for his commitment.

July 24, 2023: Cardiac Arrest During USC Practice

On July 24, 2023, Bronny James suffered cardiac arrest during a USC practice session, which was later attributed to a congenital heart defect.

2023: Development as a Perimeter Defender

In 2023, ESPN's Givony noted Bronny James's development into one of the top perimeter defenders in his high school class. Jonathan Wasserman also described James as possessing a high basketball IQ and being a willing passer.

July 2024: Jersey Number Selection for NBA Debut

In July 2024, Bronny James chose the number 9 jersey for his professional debut in the NBA during the 2024–25 Los Angeles Lakers season to honor the late musician Juice Wrld, alluding to Juice's 2017 debut EP 9 9 9.