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Video: Bronny James Scores 1st Basket with Lakers in NBA Summer League 2024

Andrew PetersJuly 6, 2024

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JULY 6: Bronny James Jr. #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game against the Sacramento Kings during the 2024 NBA California Classic Summer League game on July 6, 2024 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

Bronny James has notched his first basket of NBA Summer League.

The Los Angeles Lakers No. 55 overall pick and son of NBA legend LeBron James found his first points in the second quarter, scoring a layup after a give-and-go while facing the Sacramento Kings.

NBA @NBA

Bronny James takes the DHO downhill for 2! 💪<br><br>🏀 Lakers-Kings<br>☀️ California Classic on ESPN <a href="https://t.co/yMXvhrsN3u">pic.twitter.com/yMXvhrsN3u</a>

LeBron was seen reacting to the basket after Team USA's first practice in Las Vegas on Saturday:

NBA @NBA

"C'mon man that's tough"<br><br>LeBron watching Bronny's first points🙌 <a href="https://t.co/GZSVMh8sg6">https://t.co/GZSVMh8sg6</a> <a href="https://t.co/pQvRGD2nyo">pic.twitter.com/pQvRGD2nyo</a>

Scoring his first basket is a milestone to acknowledge, but James will be looking to continue getting on the board at Summer League over the next few weeks.

James only managed to score two points in the first half, going 1-of-6 from the field through the first two quarters while also picking up a rebound, an assist and a steal. It's expected that he'll need some time to adjust to playing against a higher level of competition, so a slow start is nothing to worry about for Lakers fans.

James joins the Lakers after just one season at USC, where he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while coming off the bench for the Trojans. While his collegiate numbers didn't stand out much, a strong showing at the NBA combine confirmed that he's capable of playing at the next level.

But like many draftees, James is still a work in progress. He'll look to continue developing this summer while playing in Summer League, which takes place in Sacramento and San Francisco this week before moving to Salt Lake City next week. Summer League will then conclude in Las Vegas from July 12 to 22.

James is reportedly set to begin the season alongside his father on the Lakers, but is expected to spend much of the season in the G-League, giving him the chance to play against strong competition and get better as he looks to carve out a prominent role in the NBA.