LeBron James, the Akron native and Los Angeles Lakers forward, has expressed a unique perspective on parenting. Recently, when ESPN removed his son, Bronny James, from its 2024 NBA mock draft, LeBron took to social media to defend his son’s right to enjoy college basketball and be a kid. He emphasized that the work and results will speak for themselves, regardless of what a mock draft may say. LeBron highlighted that Bronny is focused on putting in the work rather than being concerned about external evaluations. He used the phrase “Earned Not Given” to emphasize the importance of hard work.

LeBron’s plea to let kids be kids is a sentiment that resonates with many parents. It’s common for some parents to put pressure on their children to excel in sports, expecting them to become the next superstar athlete. However, LeBron’s own experiences in the spotlight, starting from his time at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, have made him protective of his children’s development. He has earned the right to prioritize their well-being.

Bronny James, currently a freshman playing for the USC Trojans, has already faced challenges, including recovering from cardiac arrest before the start of his college career. Despite the obstacles, he is averaging 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while shooting 37.1% from the field.