Bronny James, LeBron's teen son, picked by Lakers in NBA Draft

NEW YORK: Bronny James, the 19-year-old son of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, was selected 55th overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in Thursday's (Jun 27) second round of the NBA Draft.

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James, the 39-year-old Lakers playmaker who is a four-time NBA champion, has said he would like to play alongside his son next season in what would be a first for the NBA.

No father-son duo has ever played alongside each other in the league before, and while Bronny is not expected to log significant minutes in his rookie season, it will no doubt be a special moment when they appear together for the first time on the NBA hardwood.

LeBron was aged 19 and the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year when his now-wife Savannah gave birth to LeBron Raymone "Bronny" James Jr in Akron, Ohio in 2004.

Bronny attracted enormous attention as a high school player at Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles and in his senior year was joined by his younger brother Bryce, a 17-year-old potential NBA prospect.

A guard for the University of Southern California (USC), he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists for the Trojans last season after a stellar high school career and also impressed scouts at an NBA combine.

At a practice session last July, USC freshman James collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest caused by a congenital heart defect.

The teenager was released from the hospital a few days later and doctors approved him playing both in US college basketball and, last month, in the NBA.

The younger James is seen as a top defensive prospect with elite athletic skills and strong instincts for the game but might need time to develop fully as an NBA player.

LeBron James has until Saturday to opt into the final year