Scouts believe Bronny James has ‘similarities’ to his iconic father LeBron as he eyes the NBA.
Last Saturday, Bronny took to Instagram to announce his commitment to USC. The 18-year-old recently completed his senior season of high school basketball at Sierra Canyon and he was widely expected to go to college before entering the NBA, despite the advances made by the NBL to lure him to Australia.
His father is a vocal supporter and the Los Angeles Lakers superstar has publicly declared on a number of occasions that he wants to extend his career in order to play with the teenager in the NBA. Bronny has developed impressively to become one of the best point guards in his class, while he earned McDonald’s All American honours this past season.
Bronny recently starred at the McDonald's All-American Game where he went 5-for-8 from three-point range, finishing with 15 points and adding four assists. And it looks like he is beginning to sway top-level scouts who were perhaps once sceptical given his father’s reputation.
Last summer, a major college coach suggested he was beginning to play more like his four-time MVP father, sharing some similarities with the Lakers star’s game.
“He showed more assertiveness as a scorer," the coach told ESPN. “Bronny actually plays with some similarities to his father - he plays high just like his dad does, he has a tremendous feel for throwing the ball ahead in transition.
“He keeps the ball hot, knows the right play to make and does so on time. He really moves his feet defensively and has the lateral quickness and strength to be a terrific on-ball, point-of-attack defender. The consistency of his jump shot still comes and goes, and he is not yet able to access his vertical athleticism in the half court.
“However, in transition or with a runway to the rim, Bronny has some pop. Where I would like to see him grow is as a one-on-one creator of his own offense. ... I would like to see him settle into college and continue to grow more comfortable finding his own offense, but he's a good, smart player.”
Meanwhile, an NBA scout recently said: “His confidence grew. That, to me, was the biggest thing. His shooting is significantly better. It's all catch-and-shoot, so his biggest area of improvement is going to be making shots off the move. Pull-ups, coming off screens, being ready to shoot…
“He can get a swing pass and make a nice entry pass. You leave him open on a catch-and-shoot, he'll destroy you.”
Bronny chose the Trojans over Oregon and Ohio State following a long and highly-anticipated recruitment process. He was one of the biggest names available, with the basketball world waiting with bated breath to see his next move before he is eligible for the 2024 NBA Draft.
James could opt out of the last year of his current deal with the Lakers to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2024 offseason. This would allow the 38-year-old to sign with any franchise, which would likely be the team that drafts Bronny next year - if he decides to declare after one year of college basketball.
