New Los Angeles Lakers point guard Bronny James has disclosed the sentiment behind his jersey number choice, and it has nothing to do with his dad.

Fans all thought the youngster was going with the No. 9 because LeBron James used to wear the No. 6 before switching back to No. 23. But Bronny has revealed he chose the number to honor the late Juice WRLD.

The rookie spoke to reporters on Tuesday for the first time since getting drafted and explained his jersey decision after answering several questions about his relationship with his dad.

“Juice has just been a big part of me, keeping calm in some situations that I’ve been through,” he said in quotes transcribed by TMZ Sports. “So yeah, just paying homage to him especially because he passed. It’s a really important thing for me.”

"Juice has been a big part of me keeping calm in some situations I've been through."

Bronny James pays homage to the late Juice WRLD by wearing the #9 for LAL 🪽 pic.twitter.com/DxMzMThEPi

— NBA (@NBA)

July 2, 2024

Bronny James Expects Pressure Given Who His Father Is

Bronny James also has a 999 tattoo behind his ear; Juice had the numbers on his body, claiming it depicts the inversion of the “mark of the beast.” He added that it meant “taking whatever ill, whatever bad situation, whatever struggle you’re going through and turning it into something positive to push yourself forward.”

The musician died at 21 through an accidental overdose in December 2019, sending shockwaves through the industry.

Bronny, meanwhile, insists he will deal with the pressure of being the son of one of the greatest basketball players in history as he has done throughout his career.

New Lakers head coach JJ Redick also pushed back on suggestions of nepotism, insisting the 19-year-old earned his shot at an NBA career.