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LeBron James’ 15-year-old Bryce signs with Klutch Sports, following the Lakers star and older brother Bronny to Rich Paul’s agency, and giving the high school sophomore a chance to cash in on NIL deals

The line between LeBron James’ professional and family lives was further blurred on Monday as his 15-year-old son Bryce signed with Klutch Sports, the player agency that already represents the Los Angeles Lakers star and his eldest child, Bronny.

Klutch announced the deal on Twitter with an ‘NIL’ hashtag, indicating Bryce’s chance to profit off his name, image and likeness. High School basketball players such as Bryce and Bronny have traditionally been discouraged from signing endorsement deals, but under new NCAA rules, recruits can now do so without risking their college eligibility. Bronny, for instance, has already signed a deal with Beats by Dre – a headphones company that has been endorsed by LeBron for years.

LeBron’s friend and longtime agent Rich Paul launched Klutch Sports Group in 2012 after leaving Creative Artists Agency. Paul, the boyfriend of singer Adele, also represents fellow NBA stars such as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine, and Anthony Davis, the Lakers center and teammate of James.

There has been speculation that LeBron has an ownership stake in Klutch, which would violate NBA rules prohibiting players from getting into the agency business. However, ESPN reported in 2017 that the league investigated and never found anything to substantiate speculation that Klutch was owned, in part, by LeBron.

That Bryce James has the opportunity to sign with a player agency, putting himself in position to earn endorsement money, is not a guarantee of future hardcourt success. The 6-foot-6 sophomore played junior varsity ball last season at California’s Sierra Canyon High, where Bronny and Scottie Pippen’s son Justin currently star on the varsity.

Bronny, the 45th-ranked recruit according to 247 Sports and 34th-ranked according to ESPN, already has several suitors, reportedly including college basketball bluebloods Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina. (Coincidentally, the top-ranked recruit on both websites is DJ Wagner, the son of LeBron’s former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate, Dajuan Wagner)

Bryce James #5 and Bronny James #0 of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers talk on the bench during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Cleveland High School on November 19

Bryce James #5 and Bronny James #0 of the Sierra Canyon Trailblazers talk on the bench during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Cleveland High School on November 19

Ken Griffey Sr. (left) made a name for himself with the Cincinnati Reds before joining the Seattle Mariners, where his son and future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. was playing

Ken Griffey Sr. (left) made a name for himself with the Cincinnati Reds before joining the Seattle Mariners, where his son and future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. was playing 

James, a Laker since 2018, has expressed interest in playing with Bronny, who could be drafted by an NBA team as early as 2025.

‘My last year will be played with my son,’ James told The Athletic in February. ‘Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.’

James would not be the first professional athlete to play alongside their child.

NHL legend Gordie Howe teamed with sons Mark and Marty on the WHA’s Houston Aeros in the 1970s. Mark and Gordie also played together on the Hartford Whalers before and after the WHA’s merger with the NHL.

In 1990, former Major League All-Star Ken Griffey Sr. signed with the Seattle Mariners, where his son and namesake had already begun his Hall of Fame career.

The father-son duo hit back-to-back home runs against the California Angels on September 14, 1990.

The three Howes, Father Gordie (left) and sons Marty (center) and Mark make an appearance for the Houston Aeros of the WHA. Gordie and Mark also played together with the Whalers

The three Howes, Father Gordie (left) and sons Marty (center) and Mark make an appearance for the Houston Aeros of the WHA. Gordie and Mark also played together with the Whalers 

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