After an underwhelming freshman campaign at USC, Bronny James (the son of NBA star Lebron James), elected to enter the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining his collegiate eligibility. The 6-foot-4 combo guard averaged 4.8 points on 36.6 percent shooting and 2.1 assists per contest during the 2023-24 season. James suffered a cardiac arrest last summer, but managed to make a full recover and participate in his first Division 1 college basketball game in mid-December.
Yes, I’m fully aware that James didn’t have an “NBA Draft worthy” type of season, but let’s take a minute to acknowledge some of the highs that the freshman guard experienced this past season. Not only did James score in double-figures on three separate occasions, he also recorded at least one steal in 14 contests. He’s a methodical guard who values simplicity over flash, which was evident while watching him operate on the offensive end. Sure, his game may not be aesthetically pleasing to some individuals, but there’s no denying that he plays the game of basketball in an intelligent manner. He doesn’t over-penetrate, he willingly attempts three-point jumpers when necessary and he understands the importance of locating open spaces on the floor while serving as an off-ball threat. Defensively, he’s a clever on-ball defender who takes minimal risks and rarely gets dislodged on the perimeter/in the paint (thanks to his strong frame).
Will James keep his name in the NBA Draft? Well, probably not, but that shouldn’t hinder him from receiving valuable feedback from NBA scouts and dramatically increasing his production as a sophomore in 2024-25. If he takes a massive step forward and proves that he’s deserving of a first-round draft selection, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him forgo his final two years of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2025 NBA Draft.
