Rich Paul: ‘Nobody Pressured’ Bronny James to Leave USC, Enter NBA Before Lakers Pick

Doric SamOctober 8, 2024

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

When Bronny James entered the NBA draft and was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers, there was a perception that his legendary father LeBron James was influencing these decisions.

However, longtime agent and CEO of Klutch Sports Group Rich Paul told ESPN’s Baxter Holmes that Bronny’s decision to leave USC and begin his professional career was his alone.

“Nobody pressured Bronny to go pro,” Paul said. “Bronny had a choice to stay at USC, he had a choice to transfer somewhere else or he had a choice to go pro.”

Paul told Holmes that he explained to Bronny during a meeting months before the draft that he was unlikely to be a first-round pick and that there was even a possibility that he would go undrafted. However, the 20-year-old had his mind made up already.

“I just want to hear my name called,” Bronny told Paul at the time, adding that he didn’t care which team selected him.

Bronny ultimately landed with the Lakers and his dad, who had long expressed the desire to play alongside his son before his iconic career came to an end.

Bronny will be one of the most interesting rookies to watch this season as he learns the ropes from LeBron and the rest of the veterans in Los Angeles.