LeBron James Reveals How He Keeps His Sons Motivated

In the latest episode of his Mind The Game podcast, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James gave insight on how he keeps his sons, Bronny and Bryce James, motivated.

James, who is one of the most accomplished players in NBA history, recalled the story of Boston Celtics guard Derrick White. White entered college without any major accolades and has turned his career into one as an NBA Champion and set to make nearly $200 million in the league.

“Unranked in high school, zero D-I scholarship offers, played three years of Division II basketball at UCCS, transferred to Colorado, and now is an NBA Champion,” James said, referring to a text he sent to both of his sons. “That guy is Derrick White.”

“My message was, to them, ‘Everybody’s road to success is different, so stay locked in and patient,'” James said.

James remarked that he often sends his sons messages to ‘focus them back in’. Bronny James is currently a member of the Lakers after the team selected him with the 55th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft. Bryce will attend the University of Arizona and play on their men’s basketball team next season.

LeBron and Steve Nash Speak On The Path To The NBA

After sharing the message and path taken by White, both James and co-host Steve Nash discussed other current NBA players who had similar paths to become all-time greats.

“There’s more stories like that than there are stories like yours (James),” Nash said. “I had one scholarship offer. Stephen Curry did not get a scholarship offer to his Dad’s alma mater…I don’t remember Kawhi Leonard being on a lot of radars, even when he got into the league.”

James Jr., who is on the Lakers, had an uphill battle to even play in college at USC. At just 18 years old, he suffered a cardiac arrest during a team practice before the 2023-24 college basketball season. After months of recovery, doctors deemed him able to play, and he suited up in 25 games for the Trojans before Los Angeles selected him in last year’s draft.

James’ younger son is a three-star recruit out of high school and set to join the Arizona Wildcats next season. While he hasn’t faced any of the same health concerns as his older brother, both have grown up under their father, whom scouts and the media deemed as ‘The Chosen One’ coming out of high school.

“You go through the league and it’s littered with people who got there in a circuitous way,” Nash said. “It’s almost more common than the person who got there from high school All-American to college All-American.”

James Praised Duke’s Cooper Flagg

In the same podcast episode, James also spoke on the potential first-overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, Cooper Flagg. James said that while Flagg has been on a similar path to his own, he feels that there will be pressure on the Duke forward to perform in the league.

“As the number one pick, the expectations are already put on you. Doesn’t matter if they’re right or wrong,” James said. “Wanting to put an 18-year-old kid in a position where he needs to be great right away, I think is unfair.”

“I personally think that he wants to be great. A guy that can do so many things on the court,” James added. “He has the benefit, unlike myself, he gets to join a team that is already established…They can give him the whole blueprint while he continues to learn what his blueprint will be.”

The Dallas Mavericks expect to select Flagg as the number one pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. If they do, Flagg will join James as one of only four players in NBA history whom teams drafted first overall at just 18 years old.