Ayrton Oneill
As of April 2025, there were reports that Bronny James was retiring from the NBA and taking on a role as an assistant coach at Penn State. However, it is unclear if these reports are true, as one source mentions that the story is satirical and meant for entertainment. James, the son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has had a promising career so far, with youth basketball highlights that went viral when he was just 10 years old. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers alongside his father, making them the first active father-son duo in NBA history. However, some critics have questioned his readiness for the NBA and attributed his success to his father's influence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of retirement news | 1 April 2025 |
| Reason for retirement | Bronny James has had enough of the professional lifestyle and wants to make a difference with a struggling college squad |
| His plans post-retirement | To accept an assistant coaching job with Penn State men's basketball |
| His father's reaction | LeBron James is furious with his son's decision |
| James' response to his father's reaction | "Who knows, maybe in a couple of years I'll take Mike Rhoades' job. I'm ready to sweat, Penn State." |
| James' response to criticism about his NBA career | "I always try to just let it go through one ear and out the other, put my head down and come to work and be positive every day." |
| James' response to his retirement | "Nobody takes me seriously in the league, man. While the league didn’t pan out for me, I want to return home and teach these guys everything there is to know about the work needed to hear your name called in the draft. Hopefully, we’ll win a title, too." |
| James' response to the NBA lifestyle | "You know, being around the NBA literally my whole life, it gets to a point where the glamour and success is boring." |
| James' health | James suffered a torn meniscus in his knee and underwent surgery to repair the injury in 2021 |
| James' contract | The Lakers signed him to a four-year, fully guaranteed contract |
| James' performance | In the 2024-25 season, he averaged 2.3 points, 0.8 assists, 0.7 rebounds, 0.3 three-pointers, and 0.3 steals across 6.7 minutes per game in 27 regular-season appearances |
| James' social media following | James started an Instagram account in May 2019 and reached one million followers on the first day; by the end of high school, he had over seven million followers |
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What You'll Learn
Bronny James is retiring from the NBA
LeBron Raymone "Bronny" James Jr., the eldest child of basketball legend LeBron James Sr., has reportedly decided to retire from professional basketball. The 20-year-old shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers is stepping away from the NBA after just one season, during which he averaged 2.3 points, 0.8 assists, and 0.7 rebounds across 6.7 minutes per game in 27 regular-season appearances.
Bronny's journey to the NBA began at a young age, with his youth basketball highlights going viral when he was just 10 years old. He later attended Sierra Canyon School, where he played alongside the sons of NBA stars like Dwyane Wade. In high school, he signed NIL deals with Nike and Beats by Dre and amassed a significant social media following, including over 7 million Instagram followers by the end of his time there.
Following high school, Bronny played one season of college basketball for the USC Trojans before being selected by the Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft. This decision was met with some criticism, as some believed he was drafted due to his father's influence rather than his own merit. Despite this, Bronny made history as part of the first active father-son duo in the NBA when he took the court with his father on October 22, 2024.
However, Bronny's rookie season in the NBA proved challenging. He faced scrutiny and criticism, with some questioning his readiness for the league and his performance on the court. Now, Bronny has decided to step away from the NBA and pursue a new path. He has expressed his intention to accept an assistant coaching job with Penn State men's basketball, where he aims to make a difference and share his knowledge with the team.
While Bronny's retirement from the NBA comes as a surprise to many, he has stated that the professional lifestyle is no longer for him. With his retirement, a new chapter begins, and he looks forward to the opportunity to positively impact the game in a different role.
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He will become an assistant coach at Penn State
It seems that Bronny James, the American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, is retiring from the NBA. Reports suggest that he will be taking up an assistant coaching role at Penn State.
James has had a successful basketball career, despite his young age. At just 10 years old, his youth basketball highlights went viral, and he gained 1 million Instagram followers on his first day on the platform in 2019. He played for the Sierra Canyon School basketball team, which was one of the best in the nation, and later played one season of college basketball for the USC Trojans. He then joined the Lakers in the 2024 NBA draft, becoming the first active father-son duo in NBA history, alongside his father, LeBron James.
However, despite his success, James has expressed discontent with the professional lifestyle. He has stated that he feels people in the league do not take him seriously and that the glamour and success of the NBA are no longer appealing to him. He also mentioned that he wants to make a difference with a struggling college squad and help them succeed.
By becoming an assistant coach at Penn State, James will have the opportunity to share his extensive basketball knowledge and experience with the team. He can guide and mentor players, helping them improve their skills and strategy. James's decision to retire from the NBA and pursue coaching shows his dedication to the sport and his desire to contribute to the development of the next generation of players.
While some may see this as an unexpected career shift, James's passion for basketball and his desire to make a positive impact are evident. He will undoubtedly bring his drive and expertise to his new role, fostering growth and success within the Penn State basketball program.
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James' father is furious with his decision
LeBron Raymone "Bronny" James Jr. is the eldest child and teammate of professional basketball player LeBron James Sr. They are the first active father-son duo in NBA history. Bronny James made his NBA debut in October 2024, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, the same team as his father.
However, reports emerged in April 2025 that Bronny James was retiring from the NBA and taking up an assistant coaching role at Penn State. According to sources, James had grown tired of the professional lifestyle and wanted to make a difference at a struggling college team. James himself commented that the NBA lifestyle was no longer for him, and that he was bored of the glamour and success.
Understandably, James' father, LeBron James Sr., was furious with his son's decision. He had, after all, mentored and coached him his whole life to reach the NBA. Reports say that James Sr. lost his temper in the Lakers' facility when James Jr. informed him of his decision, throwing a basketball at Luka Dončić’s head.
Despite the initial backlash, it appears that James Jr. is determined to pursue his new passion for coaching. He has expressed a desire to make a difference at Penn State and help struggling college players improve their game. While it remains to be seen whether James Jr. will find success in his new role, his decision has undoubtedly caused a rift between him and his father, who had envisioned a different future for his son.
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James suffered a serious injury in 2021
Bronny James, the son of Lakers superstar LeBron James, suffered a serious injury in 2021. James, a highly touted basketball prospect in his own right, was a sophomore at Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, at the time. He suffered a torn meniscus in his knee during practice and underwent surgery to repair the injury. This occurred in February 2021, according to sources that confirmed the news to ESPN.
The injury sidelined James for a significant period, and it was initially thought to be a season-ending injury. However, the exact number of missed games depended on when the high school basketball season would begin in California. Fortunately, James was expected to make a full recovery, which was welcome news for the talented young player and his team.
Sierra Canyon's basketball program was one of the best in the nation, boasting several top recruits and winning back-to-back California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Open Division state titles. James played for this prestigious program and was already making a name for himself in the basketball world. The injury setback, while significant, was not expected to derail his promising career.
James had been playing basketball since his youth and had drawn national attention for his skills at a young age. He played for various teams, including the Miami City Ballers and the North Coast Blue Chips, showcasing his talent and potential. By the time he enrolled at Sierra Canyon School, he was already a well-known name in basketball circles.
Despite the serious injury in 2021, James persevered and continued to pursue his basketball dreams. He went on to play college basketball for the USC Trojans and was later drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA draft. James made history as part of the first active father-son duo in the NBA, playing alongside his father, LeBron James Sr. While there were reports of him retiring from the NBA in April 2025, these were satirical and not to be taken literally.
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He was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024
Bronny James, the eldest son of NBA legend LeBron James, was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024. With the 55th pick in the second round of the NBA draft, the Lakers selected the former USC freshman.
The selection of Bronny James by the Lakers marked the first time in NBA history that an active father-son duo would be teammates. LeBron James, who was an NBA player at the time of Bronny's draft selection, expressed emotion at the news, leading family and friends in a champagne toast.
Bronny James improved his draft stock during the 2024 combine in Chicago. His calling card in the NBA will be as a 3-and-D role player who makes winning plays. He is a hard worker with a high basketball IQ, always looking to make the right play and pass. At 6 feet 1 inch and 210 pounds, he is an athletic finisher and will need agility to make defensive plays.
While the draft move raised the possibility of the first father-son duo playing together in the NBA, it did not guarantee that it would happen. However, on October 22, 2024, Bronny James made his NBA debut, playing alongside his father in the Lakers' season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He saw three minutes of playtime, contributing a rebound in the Lakers' 110-103 victory.
In April 2025, reports emerged that Bronny James intended to retire from the NBA and pursue an assistant coaching role at Penn State. However, the report was later revealed to be satirical in nature, and James remained with the Lakers.
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Frequently asked questions
No, as of May 2025, Bronny James is still playing basketball for the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he has faced criticism from the media and there have been reports of him considering retirement.
In an interview, Bronny James expressed his dissatisfaction with the professional lifestyle, stating that the "glamour and success" of the NBA are boring to him. He also mentioned that he wants to make a difference by coaching a struggling college squad.
Bronny James has faced criticism from the media and basketball analysts who question his skills and readiness for the NBA. Some believe that he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers because of his father, LeBron James, rather than his own abilities.
Bronny James has stated that he tries to let the criticism roll off his back and focus on his game. However, he has also mentioned that he does hear some of the criticisms and uses them to fuel his improvement as a player.
Yes, in August 2021, Bronny James suffered a torn meniscus in his knee, which required surgery. This injury caused him to miss a significant portion of his high school basketball season at Sierra Canyon.
