**Bronny James Impresses in G League Debut Despite Modest Stats**

Bronny James made a notable entrance in his G League debut, earning respect from his coach and teammates despite not posting staggering numbers. With all eyes on LeBron James' son, Bronny showcased his skills in the South Bay Lakers' 110-96 victory over the Salt Lake City Stars.

Quincy Olivari, one of Bronny's teammates, expressed his satisfaction with Bronny’s performance. "I was just happy to see him get out there and show the world that he can play," Olivari told ESPN. "I think I'm a big advocate on pushing that he's a great basketball player, and that the criticism he gets is unfair," he added, highlighting the young player’s potential.

Bronny got off to a promising start by making his first shot, a 17-foot baseline jumper. "I was just getting a bucket," Bronny, 20, modestly commented after the game. "It got to me, and I just... yeah. I didn't miss." Over the course of 31 minutes on the court, he scored six points on 2-for-9 shooting, dished out four assists, grabbed three rebounds, recorded two steals, one block, and committed five turnovers.

These debut numbers echoed his performance during his single college season at USC, where he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. However, South Bay Lakers coach Zach Guthrie was particularly impressed with Bronny's defensive efforts. "I think he did a great job dictating on the ball," Guthrie remarked. "He played great, he played unselfishly, he played within the flow of the game. And I thought, like all our guards, we defended at a high level. We talked about dictating. They weren't comfortable in their offense."

Though the fanfare didn't match the excitement of Bronny and his legendary dad LeBron James sharing the court in the Lakers' regular-season opener in October, there was no shortage of support for the young player. Courtside figures included Lakers coach JJ Redick, vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, as well as Lakers stars Anthony Davis and D'Angelo Russell. Bronny's parents, LeBron and Savannah, and his sister, Zhuri, were also there to support him.

Salt Lake coach Steve Wojciechowski commented on the broader impact of Bronny's presence in the league. "It's one of the great stories in basketball," he said. "When you see him out there, it's exciting. It's exciting for the G League, and it brings eyeballs to our league. And we have one of the best leagues in the world. Maybe the third-best league in the world, after the NBA and EuroLeague. And it's really the future stars of the game. His story is bringing attention not just to South Bay but the league in general and for the guys who play in the league."

With a combination of support and scrutiny, Bronny James' journey in the G League is one to watch, promising to add an exciting new chapter to his family's storied basketball legacy.