NEW YORK — Bronny James heard his names called in the NBA draft, and history was created. With the No. 55 pick in the second round, the Los Angeles Lakers selected James.

Deputy commissioner Mark Tatum revealed the pick from ESPN’s Seaport studio on the edge of lower Manhattan’s Financial District where the second round took place.

Bronny, and his dad, NBA star LeBron James, are the first father-son player pair in the NBA at the same time. Bronny, 19, was drafted nearly 21 years to the date after LeBron was taken No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. He is a 6-2 guard with great leaping ability and a strong defensive mindset.

Bronny has had a scary and exciting year. He sustained a life-threatening heart collapse while working out on Southern California’s campus in July, leaving his basketball future unclear.

Before his cardiac arrest, Bronny had a terrific final season in high school and had become a probable first-round choice. The cardiac collapse, which was the result of a congenital heart abnormality, put back his growth.

He had surgery to address the issue, was cleared to play for the Trojans and averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists and shot 36.6% from the field and 26.7% on 3-pointers in 25 games during his freshman season in 2023-24. The NBA’s Fitness to action Panel also cleared James for NBA action.

At one point, LeBron indicated he wanted to play with Bronny, but the elder James has distanced himself from that idea saying as far back as a year ago that what the son wants isn’t always what the parent wants.

“I never thought about just playing with my dad, but of course he’s, he’s brought it up a couple times. But certainly, I don’t worry about it,” Bronny said at the draft combine in May.

WHERE ARE PLAYERS FROM?NBA draft’s first two choices highlight league’s global reach

Read on for USA TODAY Sports’ analysis for all 28 picks from the second round of the 2024 NBA draft, news, trades and highlights:

NEW YORK – Heart. That’s what Bronny James’ selection in the second round of the NBA draft Thursday is about.

James’ actual heart, the one that had a cardiac arrest 11 months ago while he worked out on Southern California’s campus.

And his metaphorical heart, the one that helped him go back on the basketball floor and in position to be drafted after a life-threatening incident required a treatment to fix his congenital heart issue.

And our hearts, the hardened ones who can’t find the joy in a young adult realizing his aspirations, and the warm hearts that can. Read Jeff Zillgitt’s column Like father, like son.

Bronny James and LeBron James were the first father-and-son player pair in NBA history to be in the league at the same time. A photo released on NBA’s official Instagram account underlined exactly how great a feat that is.

The photo from June 2, 2007, shows LeBron holding a young Bronny after the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference playoffs. LeBron was 22 years, 5 months and 8 days and Bronny was 2 years, 8 months and 1 day. — Cydney Henderson

The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Bronny James with the 55th pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft on Thursday.

The 19-year-old, 6-foot-2, 210-pound guard left USC after one season amid curiosity about his future and maybe playing with his father, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.

The superstar has until Saturday to inform the Lakers whether he is returning or opting out of his contract. Even if he opts out, he still might return to the Lakers.

OPINION:Bronny James must earn his spot with Lakers, but no one should question his heart

Rich Paul, the agent for father and son, said Bronny James ending up with the proper team so he can develop was more important than where he was taken in the draft. According to ESPN, Paul even threatened that James would play in Australia and pushed some unnamed teams not to choose him.

Several clubs, such as the Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs, had indicated interest in picking James but according to rumors, he only worked out for the Suns and Lakers. — Scooby Axson

The Mavericks wrapped out the draft by picking Hukporti, who averaged 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last season on Riesen Ludwigsburg in Germany. — Cydney Henderson

The youngest player in this year’s draft, turning 18 in December. He played a few games in the NBA Academy Africa, thus his inexperience is a worry.

But in the little amount of games he’s played, he’s shown off his defensive presence. He will require plenty of improvement and there’s question of how far his offensive game can go, although he does have the tools to make it in the NBA. — Jordan Mendoza

A semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award in each of the past three seasons, McCullar is a long wing who can guard several spots. He has natural instincts on both sides, but averaged 18.3 points and 6 rebounds a game last season. — Jordan Mendoza

The Lakers did the inevitable and partnered LeBron James with his son, Bronny. Assuming Bronny participates in a game next season, it will represent the first-ever father-son player tandem in NBA history.

Bronny exhibited speed, jumping ability, athleticism and defense in the NBA draft combine and pre-draft process. He’ll have to continue to refine his jump shot, but his shortest path to the court is as a willing, pesky defender in a “3-and-D” role. — Lorenzo Reyes