LeBron James’ son Bronny James was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers last week and he’s paying tribute to Juice WRLD with his No. 9 jersey.
James was officially introduced as a Los Angeles Laker in a press conference on Tuesday (July 2) where he explained how the late rapper served as the inspiration behind his jersey number selection.
“Juice has been a big part of me keeping calm in some situations that I’ve been through. Just paying homage to him, especially cause he passed. It’s a really important thing for me.”
The Chicago native was a mental health advocate and vulnerably opened up about his battles with substance abuse, which helped Bronny navigate certain times in life with the spotlight on him as the teenage son of one of the best to ever pick up a basketball.
Back in 2022, Bronny got Juice WRLD’s “9 9 9” affirmations tattooed on his neck behind his ear. Juice explained to MTV News in 2018 that “9 9 9” stood for turning negatives in life into positives, which Bronny struck a chord with James.
“9 9 9 represents taking whatever ill, whatever bad situation, whatever struggle you’re going through and turning it into something positive to push yourself forward,” Juice told host Sway Calloway at the time.
Unfortunatley, Juice WRLD’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 21 when he passed away from an accidental overdose due to oxycodone and codeine toxicity after suffering a seizure at Chicago’s Midway Airport in December 2019.
Juice burst onto the hip-hop scene in early 2018 with massive anthems such as “All Girls Are the Same” and the Sting-interpolating “Lucid Dreams.” The latter reached No. 2 on the Hot 100.
LeBron reposted a photo of his son in the No. 9 Lakers jersey to his Instagram Story last week with an homage to the “Robbery” rapper: “999 @Bronny,” he wrote with several fire emojis.
If carrying the James name wasn’t enough pressure, Bronny will look to keep Juice’s message and legacy going while rocking the No. 9 this season for the Lakers.
Los Angeles drafted Bronny with the 55th pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft last week to make good on LeBron’s desire to suit up with his son as Laker teammates this season.
Watch Bronny give Juice WRLD his flowers below.
