Bronny James is one of the most interesting NBA prospects in history. He is the son of the all-time great Lebron James. So, when the 19-year-old announced he would declare for the NBA Draft while retaining his college eligibility, it created headlines. After just one season at the University of Southern California, it looks like he’ll make the jump to the pros. Now, he’s showing off his skills at the NBA Draft Combine to impress NBA executives before the 26-27 June draft.
Why is he not just another prospect?
Bronny being the son of one of the greatest basketball players is enough to draw crowds, but his route to potentially being drafted in 2024 is even more noteworthy.
He was an All-American at Sierra Canyon High School, a top-rated program in America. Then, Bronny went on to USC but suffered a severe health scare in summer training before the season. He was sidelined for half the year and when he returned his impact was minimal on a struggling USC team.
In 25 games he averaged a little over 4 points, 2 assists, and almost 3 rebounds per game. For a high-caliber prospect like James, those numbers are underwhelming. Yet there are those in NBA circles who still say he has the potential to be a solid NBA player.
His Positives
Bronny may not have dominated in college, but his Combine metrics were impressive.
Even though He tied for the max vertical jump and had the fastest ¾ court sprint in Combine history.
In the scrimmage games, he started off slow but is getting comfortable. In his second scrimmage game, he had the most points on his team and excelled on the defensive end.
So, while his college stats don’t jump off the page, Bronny’s measurables and Combine performances have shown his potential. He is only 19 and will continue to grow and get stronger.
The Doubts
Many people criticize Bronny especially since he didn’t stand out on a subpar college squad. He also measured in at 6’1 instead of his believed height of 6’4, which hurts his value. But also, because people believe the real reason he has any draft value is his father.
Last year, Lebron clearly stated his desire to play with his eldest son before he retires. This begs the question; how much would NBA executives give up for even just a year of Lebron? Most NBA analysts think teams would risk a second-round pick on Bronny, who will take a lot of player development, to potentially get Lebron.
People are also concerned about the pressure of the son of a legend. People have been following Bronny’s career from a young age, and continually scrutinize him. He is the most talked-about prospect but isn’t expected to go in the first round, that’s uncommon.
Where his future lies
There is speculation about what will happen when draft night rolls around, and who takes the first stab at Bronny. But Bronny still has until 29 May to decide whether he goes back to college or commits to the draft.
If he were to get drafted the Lakers seem like a logical fit. Lebron is already on the team and has previously stated that he enjoys being in Los Angeles. The Lakers have a late second-round pick to use on a risky prospect so why not make your superstar happy and get his kid?
Rumors are circulating that the Dallas Mavericks want to pick Bronny to go after Lebron in free agency this off-season. The Mavericks’ only pick in this draft is after the Lakers’ second-rounder so they will most likely have to trade up to make this happen.
At the end of the day, no one truly knows how much a player can pan out until they are in the NBA. Bronny could still go back to school to prove to the league he is ready for the professional level. But more likely than not, Bronny will get drafted and be one of the closest-watched prospects in our time.