History of Bronny James in Timeline
Bronny James Jr., the eldest son of basketball superstar LeBron James, is a rising star in the basketball world himself. A highly touted prospect coming out of high school, he was selected as a McDonald's All-American in 2023 and went on to play college basketball for the USC Trojans. Bronny is continuing the family legacy in the sport, following in the footsteps of his renowned father.
October 6, 2004: Birth of Bronny James
Bronny James was born in Akron, Ohio, to LeBron James and Savannah Brinson.
2013: LeBron James and Savannah Brinson Marry
Bronny James's parents marry in 2013.
2015: Early Scholarship Offers
Bronny James began receiving scholarship offers and letters of interest from college basketball programs, sparking discussion about the appropriateness of recruiting young athletes.
2016: High-Profile Offers
Reports emerged that Bronny James had received offers from prominent basketball programs Duke and Kentucky. He was recognized as a high-major NCAA Division I prospect.
July 2018: Youth Game Cancelled Due to Heckling
A youth game featuring Bronny James was cancelled after a fan wearing a Michael Jordan jersey heckled his father and was denied entrance.
August 6, 2018: Enrolls at Crossroads School
Bronny James enrolls at Crossroads School, a private K–12 school in Santa Monica, California.
December 3, 2018: First Game for Crossroads School
Bronny James scores 27 points in his first game for Crossroads School.
April 2019: Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Debut
Bronny James makes his Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) debut with Strive for Greatness.
May 2019: Social Media Debut and Rapid Growth
Bronny James launched his Instagram account, gaining one million followers on the first day. By the end of high school, he had amassed over seven million followers, demonstrating his significant online presence.
May 29, 2019: Transfers to Sierra Canyon School
Bronny James transfers to Sierra Canyon School, a private K–12 school in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, for his freshman year of high school. He joins his brother Bryce and Zaire Wade, son of Dwyane Wade.
November 21, 2019: High School Debut
Bronny James makes his high school debut, scoring 10 points off the bench in a win over Montgomery High School.
January 15, 2020: Season High Score
Bronny James scores a season-high 17 points in a win over Viewpoint School.
November 12, 2020: First Preseason Game as Sophomore
Bronny James plays his first preseason game as a sophomore for California Basketball Club (CBC).
2020: FaZe Clan Signing
Bronny James joined the esports organization FaZe Clan, with plans to stream under the handle "FaZe Bronny." This marked his entry into the esports world.
February 2021: Meniscus Tear and Surgery
Bronny James tears his meniscus at practice and undergoes surgery, causing him to miss most of the season.
June 2021: Sports Illustrated Cover and FaZe Clan Partnership
Bronny James appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated alongside members of the esports organization FaZe Clan, including NFL quarterback Kyler Murray. This followed his signing with FaZe Clan in 2020, where he was expected to stream games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Warzone.
December 4, 2021: Game-High Score Against St. Vincent-St. Mary High School
Bronny James scores a game-high 19 points in a win over St. Vincent–St. Mary High School in the Chosen-1's Invitational at Staples Center.
February 2022: Trademark Filing and NIL Deals
Bronny James filed trademarks for variations of his name: Bronny, BJ Jr., and Bronald, highlighting his potential for brand development and commercial opportunities. He had already secured NIL deals with Nike and Beats by Dre during high school.
June 2022: Drop in Recruiting Rankings
Bronny James experienced a drop in recruiting rankings by various services, including 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals. This followed a season impacted by an injury.
August 2022: Exhibition Games in Europe
Bronny James plays alongside his Sierra Canyon teammates for CBC in three exhibition games in Europe. In his second game, he led all scorers with 25 points.
January 2023: Knee Injury and Team Relegation
Bronny James missed four games due to a knee injury. Upon his return, Sierra Canyon faced a series of losses, including a defeat against Notre Dame High School in the Mission League semifinals. The team's overall performance led to their relegation from the CIF Open Division to Division I.
January 17, 2023: College Decision
Reports surfaced that Bronny James was considering attending Ohio State, Oregon, or USC for college.
July 24, 2023: Cardiac Arrest
Bronny James suffered cardiac arrest during a USC practice session. The cause was later determined to be a congenital heart defect. He was hospitalized and subsequently released.
2023: Skill Assessment and Comparisons
Analysts highlighted Bronny James' strengths in shooting and defense, noting his proficiency in catch-and-shoot situations and ability to guard point guards. His defensive anticipation and intensity were commended. However, his lack of size compared to other NBA players with similar skills was noted as a potential challenge. While recognized as a reliable ball-handler, he faced difficulties in creating separation from defenders. His driving and finishing abilities were identified as areas for improvement. Analysts drew comparisons between his playing style and that of NBA players De'Anthony Melton, Lonzo Ball, and Jrue Holiday.
2023: McDonald's All-American
Bronny James is named a McDonald's All-American as a senior in high school.
January 17, 2024: Career-High Performance
Bronny James played a season-high 30 minutes against No. 12 Arizona, recording 11 points, five rebounds, and six assists despite a loss.
April 5, 2024: NBA Draft Declaration
Bronny James announced his intention to enter the 2024 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility. He also entered the transfer portal.
2024: Medically Cleared for NBA Draft
Bronny James received medical clearance to participate in the NBA draft, marking a significant step in his recovery from cardiac arrest.
2024: Projected NBA Draft Pick
Prior to his cardiac arrest, Bronny James was projected as a top ten pick in the 2024 NBA draft. He was regarded as a highly improved prospect.