LeBron James has long spoken about his dream of sharing the court with his eldest son, Bronny James.

That dream became a reality on October 22, when the Los Angeles Lakers’ season opener marked the first time a father and son had ever played in the NBA together. The moment, historic in itself, carried even greater significance for the James family, given Bronny’s remarkable path to the league.

LeBron opens up on playing with Bronny

Less than a year before his NBA debut, Bronny suffered cardiac arrest during a summer workout at USC, a condition stemming from a congenital heart defect.

Despite the setback, he declared for the draft after one collegiate season, and the Lakers selected him with the 55th overall pick.

Now, with months of professional basketball under his belt and a career-high performance in the G League, Bronny is carving out his own path in the NBA.

During a special interview on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, LeBron spoke about the emotional weight of his son’s first NBA game.

“Physically I wasn’t even there,” he admitted.

“I wasn’t even there. I’m floating, and I can only imagine where Bronny was. We haven’t even talked about it yet, but at some point, we will. That was an unbelievable moment for me-to have that dream and be able to speak it into existence, come to fruition, and for my mom and my wife and my daughter and youngest son to be there.”

LeBron also reflected on Bronny’s journey, acknowledging the resilience his son has shown since his medical emergency.

“I start thinking about everything, what the hell he went through less than a year before with his cardiac arrest,” he said.

“It came out of nowhere, and it was a birth defect that, quite honestly, if he never played sports, we would never have to worry about. But as he got stronger, there was something inside his heart that was pounding at his heart and pounding at his lungs. To see that happen to Bronny and for him to be able to play that same year after that happened at USC, and then less than a year later be drafted by the Lakers, and then that fall, we got out on the court together-that’s why I wasn’t there.”

While Bronny has faced skepticism about his place in the league, LeBron remains unwavering in his pride for his son’s growth.

“For me as a dad, it doesn’t matter if he never scores ever,”LeBron said.

“For me as a dad, I’m just super proud of him, period, as a young man. As a mentor and as a teammate of his that wants to see him thrive because I’ve seen the work he’s put into the game, I’m super proud of his development to where he is now.”

Bronny’s progress has been evident, with standout performances in the G League and a recent NBA-high of 17 points.

Although Bronny is still working toward consistent NBA minutes, his progress is undeniable.

The Lakers recently reassigned him to their G League affiliate after a brief stretch with the main roster, but if his recent performances are any indication, he’s well on his way to proving himself at the highest level.