The basketball world eagerly anticipated whether Bronny James would follow in his father LeBron James’ footsteps and be called on draft night, just as LeBron was in 2003. Twenty-one years later, the anticipation came to fruition as the Los Angeles Lakers selected Bronny James with the 55th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, uniting him with his legendary father.
Bronny joins the Lakers after spending just one season at USC, where he averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game in 19.4 minutes during his freshman year. Mostly coming off the bench, he started in six games and scored in double figures three times throughout the college basketball season.
In high school, Bronny was a four-star prospect at Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, Los Angeles (CA). He was ranked as the No. 25 overall recruit in the 2023 class and the No. 6 point guard, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, which averages ratings from the four major recruiting media companies.
Bronny’s college career began with a scare when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a USC offseason workout in early July. However, he recovered and returned to the court after missing the first eight games of the season, finishing with a shooting percentage of 36.6% over 25 games as a versatile player for the Trojans.
While Bronny’s college statistics and limited starting experience might not scream NBA-ready, his father’s wish to eventually play alongside him in the NBA has come true. They now become the first father-son duo to play on the same NBA team simultaneously.
Expert Opinions on Bronny James
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 210 pounds, Bronny doesn’t have the typical size of an NBA guard, which could pose challenges on both ends of the floor. However, he demonstrated impressive athleticism and shooting prowess at the NBA Combine. Many experts see him as a potential 3-and-D player who might need further development in the NBA G League.
“James excels in catch-and-shoot situations and shows great energy and instincts on defense,” noted RotoWire’s profile on Bronny. “Although he lacks size for the NBA level at 6-foot-2, his athleticism is elite. He can handle the ball and is a willing passer but isn’t a true point guard.”
