LeBron James 'emotional as hell' in social media post as son Bronny awaits 2024 NBA Draft

Twenty-one years ago, LeBron James strode across the stage at the 2003 NBA Draft in an oversized, all-white suit and shook the league commissioner’s hand while flashing a wide, radiant smile.

This week, one of his children might get to do the same.

The 2024 NBA draft begins Wednesday night, with top prospects from college basketball and across the world fulfilling a life-long dream and learning where they’ll begin their professional careers.

REQUIRED READING: Bronny James draft rumors ahead of 2024 NBA Draft first round

Among the players hoping to hear their name called is Bronny James, the oldest son of the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, who is attempting to enter the NBA after one season at USC.

For his father, a four-time NBA MVP who is coming off his 21st season in the league, it’s a full-circle moment, with the elder James taking to social media Wednesday to express those feelings.

“Not a feeling in the (expletive) world better than being around raising my boys to MEN!” James wrote in a post on Instagram. “Pops over here getting emotional as hell just thinking about yall journey so far! Thank you both for allowing me to be your DAD and be apart of your compass through life’s trials and tribulations!”

The 39-year-old James has previously expressed a desire to play with his son, telling The Athletic in 2022 that “my last year will be played with my son.”

“Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be,” he said at the time. “I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”

James has since distanced himself from the comment. His agent and longtime friend Rich Paul, who is also Bronny James’ agent, told ESPN that James is “off this idea of having to play with Bronny.”

"If he does, he does. But if he doesn't, he doesn't,” Paul said. “There's no deal made that it's guaranteed that if the Lakers draft Bronny at 55, he [LeBron] will re-sign. If that was the case, I would force them to take him at 17. We don't need leverage. The Lakers can draft Bronny and LeBron doesn't re-sign. LeBron is also not going to Phoenix for a minimum deal. We can squash that now. There are other teams that love Bronny.”

A five-star prospect who was the No. 22 player nationally in the 2023 recruiting class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, Bronny James had an unconventional 2023-24 season at USC.

In July 2023, he collapsed during one of the Trojans’ practices. It was later revealed he suffered cardiac arrest caused by a congenital heart defect, which delayed his college debut by a month. James went on to play for USC in 25 games, six of which were starts.

In April, weeks after the Trojans’ season ended, he announced he would enter the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his college eligibility and entering the NCAA transfer portal. He ultimately chose to remain in the draft.

REQUIRED READING: Who will draft Bronny James? Best NBA draft fits, from Lakers to Raptors

Bronny James stats

James’ impact in his lone season at USC was relatively muted, at least compared to most other players who spend just one year in college before chasing their NBA dreams.

In those 25 games for the Trojans, James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.1 turnovers and 0.8 steals in 19.4 minutes per game while shooting 36.6% from the field and 26.7% from 3-point range. He finished eighth on his team in scoring as USC slogged through a disappointing 15-18 season.

Bronny James height, weight

James was listed on USC’s official roster at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds. At the 2024 NBA Draft combine, he was measured at 6 feet, 1 1/2 inches and 210.4 pounds.

REQUIRED READING: What time does NBA draft start? Estimated time for every team's Round 1 pick

Bronny James 2024 NBA mock draft projections

Given his modest college production, James isn’t regarded as one of the draft’s top prospects and is widely projected to end up as either a late second-round pick or an undrafted free agent. Despite LeBron James’ insistence he doesn’t need to play with his son, many of the predictions on where Bronny James will end up land on a particular destination.

Here’s a sampling of where various outlets have Bronny James going in their 2024 NBA mock drafts:

• ESPN: No. 55 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

• The Athletic: No. 55 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

• The Ringer: No. 55 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

• Bleacher Report: No. 55 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

• Yahoo Sports: No. 55 overall, Los Angeles Lakers

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James 'emotional as hell' as son Bronny awaits 2024 NBA Draft