LeBron James‘ career is nearing its twilight and has seen it all in the NBA. In terms of success on the court, very few can rival the 4-time NBA Champion. Likewise, he has won every possible individual award in the NBA. Most Valuable Player over 4 regular seasons, Most Valuable Player in 4 NBA Finals, and the list goes on. But one dream remains unfulfilled, to play alongside Bronny James.
Bronny James was born on October 6, 2004, in Cleveland to the hottest rookie in the NBA, LeBron James. A passionate player of basketball and soccer since a young age, Bronny has worked his way up the academic ladder with a focus on his athletic side. The younger James has been subject to extensive media coverage and is already a social media star with 6.1 million Instagram followers.
His aspirations are clear, to follow in his legendary father’s footsteps. But everything surrounding his youth career boiled over when his father made a huge declaration when extending with the Lakers in 2020. “The best thing about it is the year I’ll be a free agent will be the same year my oldest son graduates high school.”, said LeBron opening up a plethora of options.
He further confirmed his intentions at the 2022 All-Star Weekend, sending the rest of the league into an uproar.
“My last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
But will Bronny James make it to the NBA?
Bronny James: high school career
It is no secret that Bronny is often viewed through the lens of his father’s success and abilities. To avoid the attention, he wore the number 0 in honor of his favorite player, Russell Westbrook. But over time, he has accepted being his father’s son and donned the number 23 that his father had most of his success in.
At age 14, James joined the AAU team Strive for Greatness at the under-16 Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. He went up against many top prospects in older age categories and impressed the organizers and scouts.
For his freshman year of high school, Bronny joined Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles in 2019. He made his high school debut off the bench on November 21, 2019, scoring 10 points in a win. He was also named MVP in a game against his father’s former school, St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, after scoring 15 points. He also scored the game-winner with his father pumped on the sidelines.
Unfortunately, he tore his meniscus in his sophomore season. Consequently, he underwent surgery and sat out the rest of the season.
He returned to continue his exploits against his dad’s high school team in another 19-point effort. Constantly the focus of the media, Bronny James has developed his game and worked towards making it in the NBA.
Will Bronny play in the NBA?
Bronny stands at 6 feet 4 inches and plays at the point guard or shooting guard position. Described as a competent ball-handler, and with passing to match, his profile as a creator is evident. His shooting technique is also praiseworthy and labeled ‘smooth’. James is further known as an intuitive player, with poise to his game.
Currently, he is ranked 43rd by ESPN in the list of prospects, and Rivals.com has him at number 30 amongst the class of 2023. Kentucky, Duke, and Kansas are all interested colleges hoping to recruit him.
The only knock to his game is his inconsistency and passive approach. As someone who can produce high-scoring games at the high school level, he is often found a bystander in games too. A complete lack of output that is unacceptable at higher levels, and could hurt his recruitment chances.
But no doubt, the work ethic that has seen his father rise to the top of the NBA will be translated into his son too. And in that case, it would be no surprise to see him scale the same heights of success.
Bronny is extremely talented but remains a fringe prospect. If he can hone his game further, teams will scramble to draft him beyond just the prospect of getting his dad along for the ride. But there is now a certain inevitability to his NBA prospects. Bronny James will play in the NBA, and most likely will do so alongside his father.
Over to you, NBA Draft 2024.