The time has come for guard Bronny James, son of four-time NBA champion LeBron James, to begin his professional career. (More Sports News)
LA Lakers draft Bronny James at No. 55
The time has come for guard Bronny James, son of four-time NBA champion LeBron James, to begin his professional career. (More Sports News)
The 19-year-old prospect won't have to look far for mentorship.
James was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the No. 55 overall pick in the NBA Draft on Thursday, ushering in the next chapter of the years-long saga between the USC prospect and his future Hall of Fame father.
James has become a somewhat controversial prospect because his family ties appear to have as much influence over his NBA future as his on-court production.
The elder James said in January 2023 that it was a goal of his to play in the NBA with his son.
바카라I need to be on the floor with my boy,바카라 he told ESPN. 바카라I got to be on the floor with Bronny.바카라
In more recent interviews, James loosened his stance and opted for a more supportive and open-minded approach.
바카라Whatever his journey, however his journey lays out, he바카라s going to do what바카라s best for him,바카라 LeBron said last May. 바카라We바카라re going to support him in whatever he decides to do. So just because that바카라s my aspiration or my goal doesn바카라t mean it바카라s his. And I바카라m absolutely OK with that.바카라
Bronny바카라s NBA prospects became hazy on July 24, 2023, when he went into cardiac arrest during an offseason workout with the Trojans.
James was treated for a congenital heart defect in Los Angeles and New Jersey before being cleared to make his collegiate debut last December.
James, who was listed as 6-foot-4 at USC but measured 6-foot-1 ½ in socks at the NBA바카라s scouting combine, had an inconsistent freshman season with the 15-18 Trojans.
James averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games while shooting 36.6 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from 3-point range.
Despite lacklustre shooting numbers in college, James displayed a confident shooting stroke during combine workouts, and his 40.5-inch vertical leap illustrated some impressive explosiveness.
As a small guard with an inconsistent shooting touch, James바카라 contributions early in his career will mainly be on the defensive end of the floor. Throughout his season at USC, James showed the athleticism, toughness and intelligence to project as a good defender at the next level.
James has good length for his size, with a wingspan over 6-foot-7, and he carries plenty of muscle on his 210-pound frame 바카라 two features that should help him on the defensive end immediately.
바카라Size is really the only issue for him on defence,바카라 an NBA general manager told The Ringer in April. 바카라If he was actually 6-foot-4 or even a bit bigger, he바카라d have really excellent potential.바카라
The NBA community appears understandably torn on James바카라 future.
On one hand, small guards who struggle to shoot rarely get chances at the next level, and it바카라s even rarer that they make an impact. Without James바카라 strong family ties, he likely would have been advised to return to college to show improvement as a sophomore.
James is not without upside, however, and he has shown rare explosiveness and defensive prowess that give some scouts hope he can be a long-time NBA contributor.