The 2024-25 NBA season will be a year of firsts for Lakers rookie Bronny James.
For starters, James will play in his first-ever NBA game and when he does so, he'll make history as the first son of an active NBA player to take the floor. The upcoming NBA season will also be the first time James wears No. 9 in his basketball career.
After wearing No. 0 throughout his AAU and prep career, James switched to No. 6 for his lone season at USC. In James' introductory press conference with the Lakers, it was revealed that he'd be turning that number upside down to wear No. 9 to begin his NBA career.
Here is more behind his decision to opt for No. 9 in the NBA.
SN's NBA HQ: Live NBA scores | Updated NBA standings | Full NBA schedule
Why does Bronny James wear No. 9?
James wears No. 9 as an homage to late recording artist Juice WRLD. He explained the choice during his first press conference as a Laker.
"Juice [WRLD] has just been a big part of me keeping calm in some situations that I've been through ... so, yeah, just paying homage to him especially because he passed," James told reporters.
"Juice has been a big part of me keeping calm in some situations I've been through."
— NBA (@NBA) July 2, 2024
Bronny James pays homage to the late Juice WRLD by wearing the #9 for LAL 🪽 pic.twitter.com/DxMzMThEPi
During a 2018 MTV interview with Sway, Juice WRLD explained the significance of No. 9.
"9-9-9 represents taking whatever hell, whatever bad situation or whatever struggle you’re going through and turning it into something positive," he explained. The artist's Instagram handle is juicewrld999 and "999" is included in the titles of two of his EPs.
MORE: Expert NBA award predictions for 2024-25 season
In addition to featuring No. 9, the back of James' jersey will read "James Jr." as his full name is LeBron Raymone James Jr. There shouldn't be too many mix-ups, but it will prevent any confusion between him and his father.
James could not stick with his college number as the NBA has retired No. 6 league-wide in honor of the late Bill Russell. James' high school No. 0 is currently worn by Lakers second-year guard Jalen Hood-Schifino.
With Nos. 0 and 6 out of the question, the pivot to No. 9 seemed to be the most sensible choice for LA's rookie guard. He is the first Laker to wear No. 9 since Sterling Brown in 2023 and joins a list of former No. 9s in the purple and gold that includes Nick Van Exel, Matt Barnes and Rajon Rondo.
MORE: NBA's top 30 players, ranked: Where stars land ahead of 2024-25 season
Bronny James uniform number history
| Season | Team | Number |
| 2019-2023 | Sierra Canyon Blazers | 0 |
| 2023-24 | USC Trojans | 6 |
| 2024-Present | Los Angeles Lakers | 9 |
