The Los Angeles Lakers have selected Bronny James with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft! James’s being drafted by the Lakers is a huge moment for the young man. However, instead of rocking number zero as he has throughout his high school career, Bronny will be number nine for the Lakers. James recently confirmed in an interview that he chose number nine to honor the late rapper Juice WRLD.
TMZ reports that LeBron James’ oldest son faced the media for the first time since being drafted. It was there when the rookie explained the meaning behind picking the number nine.
Bronny James Opens Up About How Juice WRLD’s Music Has Helped Him
“Juice has just been a big part of me, keeping calm in some situations that I’ve been through,” 19-year-old Bronny said minutes ago. “So yeah, just paying homage to him, especially because he passed. It’s a really important thing for me.”
Bronny James gets the number nine from Juice WRLD’s 999. 999 is meant to symbolize an inversion of the mark of the beast. Juice had explained before his untimely death that it basically means to cast off whatever is bringing you down. It was relatively obvious what the number nine meant to James, especially since he had 999 tattooed behind his ear.
Juice WRLD passed in December of 2019 from an accidental overdose. The 21-year-old’s death left a massive hole in the rap industry. Bronny James has been very open about the pressure that comes with being the oldest son of one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Juice’s music was also a way for James to take his mind off things.
However, Bronny James is just one of millions of Juice WRLD fans who carry on the artist’s legacy. Now, after being drafted, it is Bronny’s turn to make his own legacy. James has dealt with this pressure his entire life and is now ready to live up to the expectations.
