Expectations often follow the children of NBA legends long before they choose their own path. For EJ Johnson, however, the assumption that he should pursue basketball was never part of the plan.

During a recent conversation with Carlos King on March 10, 2026, the 33-year-old addressed a question he has heard for years. Why did the son of Hall of Famer Magic Johnson never chase an NBA career? While answering, EJ pointed to the journey of Bronny James as a real example of how difficult reaching the league truly is.

“I’ve always thought that was just stupid that they thought that I was supposed to be playing basketball or something. First of all, do you know how difficult it is to become an NBA player? Number one, it’s a very hard process.”

That remark captured the central point EJ wanted to make. Simply being the child of a basketball legend does not guarantee a path to the NBA. However, he took the idea further by referencing the dedication required from players who actually pursue that route.

“I’m sure LeBron James’ son has been playing his entire life, and now he’s in the NBA. But that’s something you would decide very early on in life.”

“If I wanted to do that, then I would have done it. But why are we even having this discussion? It’s just so ignorant. It’s so you have to put in a lot of work to do all of that.”

For EJ, the comparison helped clarify a misconception that has followed him for years. Playing in the NBA is not simply a matter of lineage. It requires a lifetime of preparation.

The player EJ referenced provides a clear example of that reality. Bronny James, the son of LeBron James, entered the league after a challenging journey that included intense scrutiny and a major health scare.

During the summer of 2023, Bronny suffered cardiac arrest during a workout at USC. The incident temporarily halted his basketball future and forced him to undergo extensive medical evaluation before returning to the court later that year.

Despite being a highly recognized prospect during his high school and USC days, Bronny ultimately entered the 2024 NBA Draft and was selected with the 55th overall pick.

That path alone underscores the point EJ was making. Even highly visible prospects with years of development and elite basketball backgrounds face difficult routes to the league.

Bronny’s first NBA season also illustrated the steep learning curve young players encounter once they arrive. During the 2024–25 season, he averaged 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game, numbers that sparked criticism from analysts while he adjusted to the professional level.

Still, the broader takeaway aligns with EJ Johnson’s argument. Making the NBA requires years of preparation, persistence, and development that typically begin long before adulthood.

Because of that reality, EJ said the expectation that he should have followed the same path never made sense to him.

EJ Johnson never looked for acceptance

While discussing his own journey, EJ also opened up about how he navigated public reactions after becoming widely known in 2013. At the time, he faced intense scrutiny, yet he says acceptance from outside communities was never something he actively pursued.

“There was just so much that happened at that time that I wasn’t looking to be accepted in a community or to be a part of a community. I think that I just wasn’t in it. I wasn’t a part.”

Instead, EJ focused on continuing his life as usual. School, friends, and everyday responsibilities kept him grounded while outside opinions circulated.

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Because of that experience, he now relates to other young people who face public attention while defining their identity. One example is Zaya Wade, the daughter of NBA legend Dwyane Wade.

EJ revealed that he has met Zaya twice and also connected with her father through Instagram. “I think we spoke on Instagram and were just like, if she needs anything, you can definitely let me know. She went to my high school as well. So yeah, we have some similarities.”

His message toward her remains simple and supportive. “But it was just one of those things where it’s like more power to you…They also said some horrible and stupid things about her. The same horrible, stupid things they were saying about me…But I’m happy that she’s happy.”

For EJ Johnson, the conversation ultimately returned to the same principle he highlighted when discussing Bronny James. Whether it involves basketball expectations or personal identity, the most important decision is choosing a path that genuinely fits one’s life.