BRONNY JAMES SHOOTS HIS SHOT

INSIDE THE ROOKIE SHOOTER'S QUEST TO PLAY IN THE NBA, RECOVER FROM A CARDIAC ARREST, AND MANAGE THE BURDEN AND BLESSING OF SHARING THE COURT WITH YOU-KNOW-WHO.

- HANIF ABDURRAQIB

FROM THE OUTSIDE, it would appear nothing spectacular happens in the two nondescript buildings at the end of a street in Los Angeles. Tall, brown, and mostly glass, the sunlight not bouncing off the windows but kind of lying atop them, sighing through the plainness of their own existence. The street itself might seem nondescript to someone who, in their maneuvering of it, doesn’t notice the expensive cars backed haphazardly into nearly every parking spot.

This is the home of Klutch Sports Group, the powerhouse agency founded by Rich Paul in 2012. Paul, a close friend of LeBron James for more than two decades, has built an enterprise that represents hundreds of athletes across multiple sports. The elevator ascending to Klutch opens its doors and it is, at least a little bit, like a doorway opening to a sports-specific version of an office laid over an amusement park. There's a sort of sensory overload: a room that resembles agiant ball pit, basketballs and soccer balls and footballs, baseballs and tennis balls piled up and pushed against glass. Yes, there are rows of cubicles and people in them, diligently typing or urgently scribbling something on paper while listening intently on a phone call. The cubicles are encased, however, by massive television screens playing ESPN. A screen filling with highlights. Another screen offering updates on clients-Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, USC women's basketball star Juju Watkins. One screen, at the entrance, features a photo. Bronny James, in his number 9 Lakers uniform, arms crossed, a face etched with seriousness, determination. A contrast to the fluorescent language above his head, reading, WELCOME BRONNY! in a font that seems pulled from a birthday card.