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History: LeBron and Bronny James Become the First Father Son Duo to Appear in an NBA Game Together

Jacob Ciccone, Writer • November 27, 2024

Photo of LeBron James in 2003 on the cover of Jonathan Abrams 2016 novel Boys Among Men.

Photo of LeBron James in 2003 on the cover of Jonathan Abrams 2016 novel Boys Among Men. (Jacob Ciccone)

Who are LeBron and Bronny James

LeBron James, often called "King James," is one of the greatest basketball players of all time and an icon both on and off the court. As the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, he’s achieved almost every accolade imaginable, including four NBA championships and multiple MVPs. Off the court, LeBron is widely recognized beyond the sports world. In addition to his philanthropy, like founding the LeBron James Family Foundation to support education and youth initiatives, LeBron has made waves in Hollywood, owning production companies and acting. Daniel Do, a senior at Hall who doesn't watch basketball said "he [LeBron] is a celebrity as well. I see him all the time in commercials. He's kind of hard to not know even if you're not a big sports fan.”
Now, his eldest son, Bronny James, is following in his footsteps. A former McDonald’s All-American, Bronny played for USC before being drafted by the Lakers in 2024.

What did they accomplish

LeBron and Bronny James made history as the first father-son duo to ever play together in an NBA game. This incredible moment happened when they checked into the game with four minutes left in the second quarter. Peter Ciccone, the Program Director of Network Radio Play by Play at ESPN said“It’s one of those moments that transcends the game, its legacy, family, and history all wrapped up together.” According to ESPN, LeBron had already logged 13 minutes on the court, when he re-entered the game alongside his son for this unforgettable milestone. For Bronny, the moment was even more special because it marked his debut in an NBA regular-season game.

Zach Anderson watching LeBron highlights during science class (Jacob Ciccone)

Why is this so rare and why were they the first to achieve it?

Zach Anderson, a senior at Hall and a huge LeBron fan said “LeBron has looked forward to his entire career, and therefore has spent a lot of time, energy and money to preserve his body to be able to get to the point where he can play with his son.” He also believes that It’s not just about longevity it’s also about talent. He said that “not many NBA players have had this chance with their sons being good and at the point in their career where they even have the opportunity to play with their son.” It’s a perfect mix of skill, timing, and dedication, and that’s why it’s such a historic and rare accomplishment.

Graph showing LeBron James’ absurd consistency and longevity. (Jacob Ciccone)

LeBron's Longevity

Data from Stat Muse

Works Cited

McMenamin, Dave. “LeBron, Bronny Make History, Take Court Together for Lakers - ESPN.” ESPN.com, ESPN, 23 Oct. 2024, www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/41952303/lebron-bronny-make-history-take-court-together-lakers.

staff, ESPN. “Following in Their Footsteps: Best Father-Son Combos in Sports - ESPN.” ESPN.com, ESPN, July 2024, www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/23975006/best-father-son-combos-sports. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

“LeBron James | NBA.com.” www.nba.com/player/2544/lebron-james/bio.

“Bronny James | Los Angeles Lakers.” Nba.com, 2024, www.nba.com/player/1642355/bronny-james/bio. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Goldman, Tom. “Why Lebron James Has Excelled for so Long.” NPR, Feb. 2023, www.npr.org/2023/02/01/1153585176/why-lebron-james-has-excelled-for-so-long. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Hall Record

History: LeBron and Bronny James Become the First Father Son Duo to Appear in an NBA Game Together

Hall Record

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