With the 2023 NBA draft in the history books, experts are already beginning to turn their attention to the 2024 event.
Next year’s draft class may or may not include USC guard Bronny James, the son of Lakers forward LeBron James. That has not, however, stopped speculation as to where James will be drafted should he take the one-and-done route with the Trojans.
ESPN draft guru Jonathan Givony, appearing on SportsCenter Saturday morning, suggested James could be drafted 17th next summer.
“Bronny James is the No. 17 projected player in our draft class tomorrow,” Givony said. “He has a very high floor because of his brain, his defensive instincts, he can make spot-up jumpers, his feel for the game, his competitiveness... Bronny James is as improved a player as any prospect in this class.”
Givony noted that “the sky is the limit” for James and declared him capable of developing into a lottery pick.
Went on Sportscenter to preview our 2024 mock draft, with preliminary thoughts on projected No. 1 pick Ron Holland and No. 17 pick Bronny James. https://t.co/uzfBWznuLY pic.twitter.com/2fMtrSUBgR
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) June 24, 2023
USC will open its season—and James will presumably make his collegiate debut—on Nov. 6 against Kansas State in Las Vegas.