CLEVELAND — He’s just a kid from Akron, but on Wednesday night, Lebron James shared the court with his son in Cleveland.
It was a packed house at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse as fans showed up to see LeBron and Bronny James share the court together.
While Bronny and his dad didn’t get minutes at the same time during the game, Bronny entered the game in the middle of the fourth quarter, as fans in the arena started chanting his name.
Bronny was just a little boy when his dad was playing for the Cavs. It’s a moment both say they’ll remember forever. It’s also a big night for those who’ve been there for the James family along the way, contributing to the journey of Bronny’s growth and development as a player and a person. From coaches, to Bronny’s middle school PE teacher, Ronald Teunissen Van Manen. He was Bronny’s PE teacher at Old Trail School in Summit County and said he knew Bronny was special from the start.
“From the get go, he was one of those students that makes other people better, not because he’s a show bo, show what he can do, he always sends the pass to the right person at the right time for them to come back and as a father and son duo, that’s got to be unbelievably special,” he said.
Bronny James acknowledged his middle school days and said the experience he had were unique and memorable.
“I love that school, old trail has its own little box of memories in my head, so I’m really appreciative of all those teachers that supported me,” he said.
Something not everyone might know about Bronny, is that in middle school he played soccer and lacrosse and his former PE teacher said, he was really good at it, but Teunissen Van Manen said it was Bronny’s selflessness and maturity at a young age that stood out most.
Lebron James said hearing words like that about his son from former teachers is reassuring.
“Savannah is the rock in our household. Savannah sets down the laws, she sets down the rules, she sets down the guidance, she does it all,” he said. “To know that I could sprinkle in my little bit of ingredients to her unbelievable recipe and to hear teachers or parents or anybody speak high of our kids is a testament to our household. That is some of the best things that we can hear. It means that what we’re doing and what we’re preaching in our household, they’re taking out into the real world.”
As all the hype of this father-son duo settles down, Bronny is expected to turn the focus on his playing career and excelling in the NBA by looking to join the G-league in early November.